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The Professional Geologis t
Volume 52, Number 2 Apr.May.Jun 2015
TPG
Volume 52, Number 2
Apr.May.Jun 2015
Inside This Issue
FEATURES
AIPG Annual Meeting Welcome Letter
Keri Nutter, CPG-11579
2
AIPG Annual Meeting Program
3
AIPG Annual Meeting Field Trips
4-7
AIPG National Award Recipients
8
AIPG Annual Meeting Registration Form
9
AIPG National Officer Candidate Articles and Biographies
11-21
AIPG Annual Meeting Social Events and Business Meetings
19
AIPG Annual Meeting Hotel Information
21
2015 National Officer Official Ballot
22
Thank You for 25 Years!
24
C.W. Fetter Endowed Geology Research Fund Update
Christine F. Lilek, CPG-1019532
Feedback to TPG-Opinion of Shale Gas Production and Seismic
Activity in North Texas
33
Sustainable Water Management in the Texas Oil and Gas Industry
Blythe Lyons, and John Tintera46
Book Review by Jim Jacobs, CPG-7760
Paleoclimate: An Atlas of Lithologic Indicators of Climate
51
Photos: Top-Glacier in Alaska; Center-Train
Turnagain Arm; Bottom-Anchorage City Skyline.
Photos top and middle compliments of Nicole Geils,
Alaska Conventions & Visitors Bureau. Bottom photo
compliments of Jody Overstreet.
Denali National Park. Photo credit to the National
Park Service.
AIPG National Executive Committee
PRESIDENT - J. Foster Sawyer, CPG,
SD School of Mines and Technology
O: (605) 394-2462, South Dakota Section
[email protected]
PRESIDENT-ELECT - Helen V. Hickman CPG,
Aquatech GeoScienece, Inc.
O: (561) 307-2369, Florida Section
[email protected]
PAST PRESIDENT- Raymond W. Talkington CPG,
Geosphere Environmental Management
O: (603) 773-0075, Northeast Section
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT - J. Todd McFarland, CPG,
AMEC Foster Wheeler
O: (615) 333-0630, Tennessee Section
[email protected]
SECRETARY - James R. Burnell, CPG,
Mineral Strategies, LLC
O: (303) 278-4521, Colorado Section
[email protected]
TREASURER - R. Douglas Bartlett, CPG,
O: (480) 659-7131, Arizona Section
[email protected]
EDITOR - Jean M. Neubeck, CPG,
O: (518) 348-6995, Northeast Section
[email protected]
ADVISORY BOARD REPRESENTATIVES
Christine F. Lilek, CPG,
Wisconsin DNR
O: (920) 387-7898, Wisconsin Section
[email protected]
Keri A. Nutter, CPG,
DOWL HKM
O: (907) 562-2000, Alaska Section
[email protected]
David G. Pyles, CPG,
KPRG, Inc.
O: (630) 325-1300, Illinois/Indiana Section
[email protected]
DEPARTMENTS
23
Student Chapters
26
Editor’s Corner
27
Test Your Knowledge
28
President’s Message
29
Test Your Knowledge Answers
30
Professional Ethics and Practices
34Hydrothink
34
AIPG Membership Totals
37
Members In The News
37
Letters to the Editor
39
In Memory
40
Young Professional’s View
42
Student’s Voice
43
Professional Services Directory
45
Online Courses
Ronald J. Wallace, CPG,
State of Georgia
O: (404) 362-2589, Georgia Section
[email protected]
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
12000 Washington St., Suite 285
Thornton, CO 80241
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM MDT; M-F
(303) 412-6205 • Fax (303) 253-9220
[email protected] • www.aipg.org
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - William J. Siok, CPG - [email protected]
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - Wendy J. Davidson - [email protected]
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MGR - Cathy L. Duran - [email protected]
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES MGR - Vickie L. Hill - [email protected]
OFFICE ASSISTANT - Cristie J. Valero - [email protected]
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - Dorothy K. Combs - [email protected]
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT - Ramona J. Scott - [email protected]
LIFE AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE
GeoCare Benefits Insurance Plan
Phone: 800-337-3140 or 602-870-4121
http://www.geocarebenefits.com/
E-mail: [email protected]
AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE
Liberty Mutual
Phone: (800) 524-9400-Client #111397
http://www.libertymutual.com/aipg
PROFESSIONAL & GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
The Wright Group
Phone (800) 322-9773 (303) 863-7788
http://www.thewrightgroupinc.com
ALAMO RENTAL CAR (800) 354-2322 - Member #BY-706768
AVIS RENTAL CAR (800) 698-5685 - Member AWD #T003300
UPS Savings Program
www.aipg.org or www.savewithups.com/aipg
Use promo code WES462
AIPG Publication Policy, October 4, 2010. AIPG encourages submission of articles and editorials for publication in TPG on
topics related to the science and profession of geology. Submittals shall be of interest to the members of AIPG, other professional
geologists, and others interested in the earth sciences. Articles and editorials may be noted as follows at the discretion of the
Editor, “The opinions, positions and conclusions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, positions or conclusions of the American Institute of Professional Geologists.” All materials submitted for publication, including author opinions contained therein, shall include accurate and appropriate references. The Editor has the authority to solicit,
edit, accept, or reject articles and editorials and other written material for publication. The Executive Committee has the authority
if it so chooses to act on any particular case to support or overrule actions of the Editor regarding the solicitation, editing, acceptance, or rejection of any particular article, editorial, or other written material for publication.
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and ethical conduct of geological scientists in all branches of the science. It adheres to the principles of professional
responsibility and public service, and is the ombudsman for the geological profession. It was
founded in 1963 to promote the profession of geology and to provide certification for geologists
to establish a standard of excellence for the profession. Since then, more than 10,000
individuals have demonstrated their commitment to the highest levels of competence and
ethical conduct and been certified by AIPG.
The mission of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) is to be an effective
advocate for the profession of geology and to serve its members through activities and
programs that support continuing professional development and promote high standards
of ethical conduct.
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For AIPG news and activities go to www.aipg.org.
Welcome to Anchorage!!!
Photo by Wade Carroll.
On behalf of the AIPG Alaska Section and the Annual Meeting
Planning Committee, I am excited to welcome everyone to Anchorage,
Alaska in September 2015! The Alaska Section is looking forward
to sharing so much that our amazing state has to offer; unique and
complex geology, northern flora & fauna, and breathtaking scenery!!
Since the 1999 meeting held at the Alaska Resort in Girdwood,
Anchorage has grown and developed considerably, while maintaining the essence of wild and adventure just minutes from town.
The 2015 meeting will be held at the Hilton Hotel in the heart of
downtown Anchorage, with access to the rich history of our town
(Anchorage celebrates the 51st anniversary of the 1964 earthquake
and its Centennial this year!), modern amenities (shopping and
entertainment), plus quick access to some of the country’s most
incredible state and national parks.
The Alaska Section is looking forward to sharing the riches of
Alaska with all of the meeting attendees and their family/guests
with some fantastic field trips that will take you across much of
Southcentral Alaska and north to Fairbanks. The appeal of Alaska
speaks for itself, but to entice you just a bit more, a sampling of the
field trips and activities planned include:
Turnagain Arm Tour – See the Kenai Formation and McHugh
Complex as you travel along Cook Inlet down the Seward Highway.
Stops include viewpoints with the potential for wildlife spotting (Dall
sheep and Beluga whales), the Portage Glacier Visitor Center, and
the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel to Whittier.
Anchorage Geology Tour – Learn about the history of
Anchorage’s devastating 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. This will
be combined with a trip to the newly opened Alaska Geological
Materials Center.
Denali National Park and Healy Valley Coal Mine – Travel
by motor coach up the Parks Highway north of Anchorage to the
Healy area (between Anchorage and Fairbanks). Here you will be
treated to two days of complex geology, a tour of the Usibelli Coal
Mine, and a trip into Denali National Park.
Glacial Geology of the Upper Kenai Peninsula – Renowned
geologist, R. D. Reger, will lead a two-day field trip across the Kenai
Peninsula with stops at key locations to describe the effects of widespread and multiple glacial outburst flood geology.
Photo by Visit Alaska.
Wishbone Hill and Matanuska-Susitna Valley – This one day
field trip, will feature a drive north of Anchorage to the scenic MatSu Valley. This trip includes a moderate hike to Wishbone Hill, a
world class paleontological site for Early Tertiary fossils, and a stop
at the historic coal mines near Sutton that have gained a renewed
interest for the high quality bituminous coal in the area.
Fairbanks Area – A pre-conference trip to the Fairbanks area
is being planned in order to offer participants a taste of central
Alaska. Activities planned for Fairbanks include the Cold Regions
Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) permafrost tunnel
and a tour of the Fort Knox Gold Mine.
Regardless of the field trip(s) you select to join, you will be granted
an adventure to remember. September weather in Anchorage and
the Kenai Peninsula is typically mild, with evening and morning
temperatures in the 40s Fahrenheit and daytime highs in the 50s
Fahrenheit. We recommend dressing in layers, and being prepared
for rain and cool weather, especially along Cook Inlet and Turnagain
Arm. Should you plan to travel on one of the local glacier cruises,
be sure to wear your rain gear and base layers!
The conference dates (September 19-22) occur at the tail end of
‘tourist season’ where most of the tourist-drawing amenities are still
available, but fewer crowds! Downtown Anchorage hosts a variety of
activities within walking distance of the Hilton, with many fabulous
restaurants and local bars, several art galleries and historic buildings, and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail to stretch your legs and
offer sightseeing vantages.
We look forward to seeing old friends, meeting new faces, and
establishing (or growing!) our professional and personal networks.
For more information in planning your stay, please be sure to visit
the Anchorage Visitor’s Convention Bureau (http://www.anchorage.net/).
See you in September!!
Keri Nutter, CPG
Alaska Section Vice-President
2015 Meeting Planning Committee Co-Chair
Field Trips
Pre-Conference Field Trip-Fairbanks, AlaskaFort Knox Gold Mine and Permafrost
Tunnel Tours
Date: Time: Cost: Leader: Limited:
Thursday, September 17, 2015
8:00 am to 6:00 pm (in Fairbanks)
$149 Early/$199 Regular
(includes box lunch, snacks, water & transportation)
Becky Morgan, CPG-11563
Quentin Ghering and Kevin Bjella
Minimum of 10 participants by August 1
Fort Knox is an open pit gold mine located in the historic
Fairbanks mining district. Owned and operated by Kinross
Gold, the mine is located 25 miles from the city of Fairbanks. At
Fort Knox, gold is hosted by a late-Cretaceous granite pluton.
Gold, bismuth and tellurium occur in quartz veins, fractures,
and shear zones within the pluton. The sulfide content is very
low (<0.1%). Gold is recovered using two mineral processing
streams. A carbon-in-pulp mill processes higher grade ore and
lower grade material is placed on a valley fill heap leach pad.
With nearly 20 years of production, Fort Knox poured their 6
millionth ounce of gold on Dec. 18th, 2013. Fort Knox is the
single largest producer of gold in the history of the state of
Alaska. This tour will provide the opportunity to view the open
pit, primary crusher, and mill facilities.
See permafrost up close; learn about ice wedges, ice lenses,
and other permafrost features; see bones of the Pleistocene
bison, mammoth, and horse. The United States Army maintains and operates a unique research facility near Fairbanks,
Alaska, known as the CRREL Permafrost Tunnel Research
Facility. CRREL is an acronym for the U.S. Army’s Cold
Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, part of the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development
Center. Researchers at the CRREL Alaska Research Office
Fairbanks, Alaska, maintain and manage the Permafrost
Tunnel Research Facility and offer support for scientific
research projects.
The Permafrost Tunnel was excavated from 1963–1969 for
the study of permafrost, geology, ice science, and the mining and
construction techniques specific to permafrost environments.
Fascinating features of the tunnel are described in the Soil
and Rock and Paleontology sections, and are shown during the
Virtual Tunnel Tour. The Permafrost Tunnel offers a unique
4 TPG •Apr.May.Jun 2015
research platform for scientists and engineers who wish to study
a frozen environment over 40,000 years old.
Gold Mine-Guests must wear closed-toe shoes, long
pants, and no loose clothing. Guests between 9 and 18
years of age must have a parent or legal guardian sign
the release on the minor’s behalf. Children under 9 years
of age are not permitted on tours.
Tunnel-Dress for cold temperatures and wear appropriate footwear. All participants will be required to wear
a hard hat (provided).
Denali National Park and
Usibellli Coal Mine Tour
(2-day trip)
Date: Time: Cost: Leader: Limited:
Saturday, September 19, 2015 thru
Sunday, September 20, 2015
6:00 am Saturday to 6:30 pm Sunday
$575 Single Room Early/$675 Single Room Regular
$525 Dbl Room Early/$625 Dbl Room Regular
(includes hotel breakfast and box lunch-day 1; snacks, water, transportation, hotel, guide book, park fees and park transportation fees; dinner day 1 and all meals day 2 on your own)
Dr. Nicholas VanWyck, CPG-10553
Minimum 10 participants by August 1
Take a ride along the scenic Parks Highway north along the
edge of the Susitna Basin with (weather-permitting) spectacular views of Mt McKinley and the Alaska Range to the west. A
geology-themed tour by the NPS geologist has been booked for
that afternoon with specific details to follow. The weekend of the
visit fortuitously coincides with the annual lottery for limited
local access to the park, always popular for its opportunity for
reduced numbers of visitors, good fall colors and wildlife viewing
opportunities. Lodging and dinner will be outside the park in
Healy where the following morning, a tour of Usibelli’s active
coal mining operation is scheduled. The Usibelli coal mine is
located within the Before returning to Anchorage a quick tour
of Golden Valley Electric newly opened, mouth-of-mine, coalpowered electric generation plant is planned.
Participants must be able to walk for 45 minutes and
have warm clothing and hiking boots.
www.aipg.org
Field Trips
Glacial Geology of the Upper Kenai Peninsula
(2-day trip)
Date: Time: Cost: Leader: Limited:
Saturday, September 19, 2015 thru
Sunday, September 20, 2015
8:00 am Saturday to 6:00 pm Sunday
$475 Single Room Early/$575 Single Room Regular
$425 Dbl Room Early/$525 Dbl Room Regular
(includes hotel breakfast and box lunch-day 1: snacks, water, transportation, hotel, guide book, park fees; dinner day 1 and all meals day 2 on your own)
R.D. Reger
Minimum 10 participants by August 1
Traveling via the Seward Highway the first day examines
the late glaciation features with stops along Turnagain Arm,
Kenai Lake, Sterling and Soldotna. The following day will start
with a drive to Kenai along the Kalifornsky Beach Road across
the Sterling Terrace to discuss features and stratigraphy of the
estuarine reach of the lower Kenai River and the stratigraphy
exposed in the bluff at Kenai to the north. The trip will continue northward up the extensive outwash braidplain graded
to ice terminal positions in the Nikiski area, passing the oil
and natural-gas processing facilities near Nikiski. We will discuss the stratigraphy exposed in the coastal bluffs as we drive
northeast to Captain Cook State Park through well-preserved
end moraines and pitted proximal outwash of the last major
glaciation. At Captain Cook State Park we will observe the
extensive field of large, mainly granitic erratics brought to the
Kenai Peninsula by glaciers from the west side of Cook Inlet.
The moderately high tide occurs about noon on September 20th,
so most of the erratics will be submerged during our visit, but
enough beach will be exposed with numerous erratic blocks and
we can walk a short distance along the beach to observe the
stratigraphy in the coastal bluff before remounting the bus and
heading back toward Anchorage.
Wishbone Hill-Palmer, Alaska
Date: Time: Cost: Leader: Saturday, September 19, 2015
8:00 am to 6:00 pm
$139 Early/$189 Regular
(includes box lunch, snacks, water & transportation)
Mike Belowich, CPG-11077 and Anne Pasch
www.aipg.org
The Wishbone Hill Field Trip is a day long excursion by fourwheel drive vans from Anchorage into south-central Alaska’s
lower Matanuska Valley and its bituminous coal field, to see
the old Evan Jones coal mine and still open strip pits. The area
is very important in Alaska’s early coal mining industry; the
U.S. Navy’s interest in high quality bituminous steaming coal
for use in its early 20th Century Pacific Fleet was the driving
force behind the initial construction of the Alaska Railroad to
reach the Chickaloon coal field, located about 20 miles east of
Wishbone Hill. Also around this time period (1914 ¬-1920),
spur railroad lines were built to the Wishbone Hill area by the
Alaska Engineering Commission to access the coal resources
there. Interestingly, Anchorage was initially founded in 1915
as a tent camp for workers building the railroad to these coal
fields. There is currently renewed interest by companies looking
to re-establish the coal mines for export purposes as a result of
the increasing global demand for high quality bituminous coal
which the area possesses. Wishbone Hill is also a world class
paleontological site for Early Tertiary fossils.
Participants should come prepared for the elements with
proper hiking footwear, warm clothing, and raingear.
Matanuska Glacier
Date: Time: Cost: Leader: Sunday, September 20, 2015
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
$169 Early/$219 Regular
(includes box lunch, snacks, water & transportation)
Chris Bruns, MEM-2343
Travel from Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier. More details
coming soon.
Alaska Volcano Observatory
Date: Time: Cost: Leader: Limited: Sunday, September 20, 2015
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
$59 Early/$79 Regular
(includes snacks, water, & transportation)
Chris Waythomas
Maximum 20 participants
You will be transported to the Alaska Volcano Observatory
for an overview of what we do at the observatory, show people
the operations room where real-time seismic and satellite data
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 5
Field Trips
come in, talk about eruption response, hazard assessment and
things like that.
Please consider wearing comfortable shoes for the tour.
Transect of the Mesozoic Subduction Complex,
Southcentral Alaska
Date: Time: Cost: Leader: Limited:
Monday, September 21, 2015
7:30 am to 5:30 pm
$139 Early/$189 Regular
(includes box lunch, snacks, water & transportation)
Dr. Susan Karl
Maximum 26 participants
This field trip traverses exposures of a multi-generation
Mesozoic magmatic arc and subduction-accretion complex that
had a complicated history of magmatic activity and experienced
variations in composition and deformational style in response to
changes in the tectonic environment. This Mesozoic arc formed
at an unknown latitude to the south, was accreted to North
America, and was subsequently transported along faults to its
present location. Some of these faults are still active. Similar tectonic, igneous, and sedimentary processes to those that formed
the Mesozoic arc complex persist today in southern Alaska,
building on, and deforming the Mesozoic arc. The rocks we will
see on this field trip provide insights on the three-dimensional
composition of the modern arc, and the processes involved in
the evolution of an arc and its companion accretionary complex.
The field trip starts in the Late Cretaceous accretionary
prism along Turnagain Arm and finishes in the roots of the
Late Cretaceous arc at Hatcher Pass. The transect is divided
into 5 parts, which we will visit in the following order: 1) the
accretionary prism, consisting of Jurassic to Late Cretaceous
sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Chugach terrane, 2) the
terrane boundary, marked by the Border Ranges and Knik
Arm Faults, 3) the overlying oceanic arc terrane, consisting
of Paleozoic to Jurassic metasedimentary, metavolcanic, and
intrusive igneous rocks of the Peninsular-Wrangellia composite terrane, 4) the forearc basin, consisting of Cretaceous and
younger deposits that unconformably overlie the Peninsular terrane, and 5) the plutonic underpinnings of the Late Cretaceous
arc that was built on the Peninsular terrane after it was accreted
to the continental margin.
Stops 1 and 4 will involve a scramble down a bluff.
Athletic shoes will suffice for all stops. Be prepared for
6 TPG •Apr.May.Jun 2015
wind and rain: rubber boots, warm jacket, raincoat, hat,
and gloves are highly recommended.
Backstage Tour of the New Alaska Geological
Materials Center and a Tour of the Alaska
Volcano Observatory
Date: Time: Cost: Leader: Limited:
Monday, September 21, 2015
10:30 am to 5:00 pm
$99 Early/$149 Regular
(includes box lunch, snacks,water & transportation)
Kenneth Papp, and Chris Waythomas
Maximum 20 participants
The trip begins with a tour of the new Alaska Geological
Materials Center which will last approximately 45 minutes
with 15 minutes for conversation in the main core viewing room.
The tour will highlight: a history of the Alaska GMC, its role
in natural resource research and discovery in the state, how
samples are acquired, organized, and processed, the challenges
of relocating the entire archive from Eagle River to Anchorage,
unique renovations made to the old Sam’s Club warehouse, how
industry and geoscientists utilize the facility, and the center’s
role in educating the general public.
After a lunch break, you will be transported to the Alaska
Volcano Observatory for an overview of what we do at the
observatory, show people the operations room where real-time
seismic and satellite data come in, talk about eruption response,
hazard assessment and things like that.
Please consider wearing comfortable shoes for the tour.
Turnagain Arm Geology Tour
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Time: 8:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Cost: $139 Early/$189 Regular
(includes box lunch, snacks, water, park fee & transportation)
Leader: Holly Weiss-Racine, CPG-11738
The bus will drive the Seward Highway along Turnagain
Arm, a designated All-American Road and Scenic Byway known
for its beauty and history. A local guide will be present on the bus
to discuss geology, the history of the corridor, current avalanche
www.aipg.org
Field Trips
and rock fall issues, and the impacts of the 1964 earthquake.
The ride will take approximately 1.5 hours.
The first of two stops will be at the U.S. Forest Service Begich
Boggs Visitor Center in Portage Valley. Attendees will have the
opportunity to enjoy the center for 2 hours. The BBVC highlights
information about local glaciers, flora, fauna and the cultural
history of Southcentral Alaska through the award-winning film
“Retreat and Renewal: Stories from Alaska’s Chugach National
Forest” and interactive exhibits. Paved and non-paved hiking
trails are available for exploration; please dress appropriately
as Portage is known for driving rain and strong winds. At 11:30
am, the group will meet in the BBVC conference room for lunch,
discussion and questions with a U.S. Forest Service Ranger,
and to prepare for the tunnel tour.
The group will re-board the bus at 12:30 pm and drive to the
entrance of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, known locally as the Whittier Tunnel. There, Gordon Burton the DOT&PF
Facility Manager will guide the tour through the tunnel. The
2.5 mile long tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in North
America. The single-lane tunnel is shared by both vehicle and
rail traffic. The tunnel tour will last approximately 2 hours.
Hard Hats and Safety Vests are required for the tunnel portion of the tour. Comfortable shoes and outdoor
weather appropriate clothing (if you plan to hike at the
BBVC) is recommended.
1964 Great Alaska Earthquake:
Geologic Causes and Effects’
Date: Time: Cost: Leader: Tuesday, September 22, 2015
8:00 pm to 12:00 pm
$59 Early/$79 Regular
(includes snacks, water & transportation)
Dr. Kris Crossen
4-hour field trip beginning with a presentation of the 1964
earthquake damage in Anchorage. Field trip to several landslide locations, Earthquake Park, and Bootlegger Cove clay.
Discussion of landslide mitigation and city zoning. Examples
of how Anchorage was rebuilt after the earthquake.
Be ready for a bit of walking; hiking boots or shoes
suggested, as well as rain gear and day packs.
Backstage Tour of the New Alaska Geological
Materials Center
Date: Time: Cost: Leader: Limited:
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
10:00 pm to 11:30 pm
$59 Early/$79 Regular
(includes transportation)
Kenneth Papp
Maximum 25 participants
The bus will take you on a 20 minute drive to the new Alaska
Geological Materials Center. The tour of the new facility will last
approximately 45 minutes with 15 minutes for conversation in
the main core viewing room. The tour will highlight: a history
of the Alaska GMC, its role in natural resource research and
discovery in the state, how samples are acquired, organized, and
processed, the challenges of relocating the entire archive from
Eagle River to Anchorage, unique renovations made to the old
Sam’s Club warehouse, how industry and geoscientists utilize
the facility, and the center’s role in educating the general public.
Please consider wearing comfortable shoes for the tour.
Exhibitors and Sponsors
Are you interested in promoting your company? Join us by
being an exhibitor or sponsor at the AIPG Annual meeting in
Anchoarge.
Exhibitors
$ 595
Sponsors
McKinley Level$5,000
Denali Level$2,500
Iditarod Level$1,500
Kenai Level$1,000
Welcome Reception
$ 750
Lunch
$ 500
Breaks
$ 250
For more information contact Cathy Duran at
[email protected] at call (303) 412-6205.
www.aipg.org
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 7
AIPG 2015
National
Award
Recipients
Ben H. Parker
Memorial Medal
David M. Abbott, Jr,
CPG-4570
Denver, Colorado
Martin Van Couvering
Memorial Award
James J. Jacobs,
CPG-7760
Mill Valley, California
Outstanding Achievement
Award
Karl E. Karlstrom
Albuquerque, New Mexico
8 TPG MAY/JUNE 2013
Award of Honorary
Membership
Dennis Pennington,
CPG-4401
Maple Glen, Pennsylvania
Outstanding Achievement
Award
Laura J. Crossey,
Albuquerque, New Mexico
www.aipg.org
www.aipg.org
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 9
10 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
candidate for aipg national president-elect
Candidate for AIPG
National
President-Elect
Adam W. Heft, CPG-10265
Holt, Michigan
I was honored to receive a call from the
AIPG National Nominating Committee
several weeks ago asking whether I would
accept a nomination for 2016 National
President-Elect. After giving the decision some careful thought, I agreed for
the very reason that my service on the
National Executive Committee aligns
with my personal philosophy of giving
back to an organization that has given
so much to me. I look forward to the
challenges it will bring, and would like
to thank the Nominating Committee and
the Executive Committee for approving
my nomination.
I believe strongly in AIPG as an organization that supports professional geologists and has much to offer those of us who
have selected this career, and I am grateful for all of the opportunities I have had
to give back on both the state and national
levels. As 2016 National President-Elect,
I will bring this commitment to serve and
will do my very best for AIPG.
During my 16 years as an AIPG
Certified Professional Geologist, I have
taken an active role as a leader and
participant in the Michigan Section and
National activities, because I feel that
you only get out of an organization what
you put in.
One of the biggest issues facing our
organization is the decline in membership. We have enjoyed a bit of a rebound
in member numbers; however, I am
concerned with the continued decline of
CPGs. This is an alarming trend caused
primarily by the aging and retirement of
the existing CPGs, and by CPGs that do
not renew their membership because they
do not see the value of the organization
compared to the cost of the annual dues.
Several individuals that I have talked
with have indicated that since their company did not pay the cost of the annual
dues, they could not afford to continue
their membership. I feel that members
www.aipg.org
need to be reminded of the benefits of
AIPG, and encouraged to more actively
participate in its activities.
In 2009, while I was an Advisory Board
member, I was part of the subcommittee tasked with reviewing and updating
AIPG’s strategic plan; this plan is still
current today. The primary objective of
the strategic plan is to fulfill the vision
and to provide value to members. This
objective has been recognized to be the
most important of the issues facing AIPG.
Communication is key… If elected as
President Elect, I would like to first focus
efforts on getting the word out that AIPG
does provide good value to our members.
Many members already enjoy the benefits
of the organization through active participation, yet there are still too many who do
not. The benefit of regular participation in
AIPG activities increases the value to the
individual member in a number of ways.
Second, I plan to focus on continuing
to increase membership. During the last
few years, great progress has been made
in attracting students to AIPG. I have
personally seen and encouraged this
with the creation of two new chapters in
Michigan at Wayne State and Western
Michigan universities, both have excellent geological sciences programs. This
needs to continue, and more student
chapters should be chartered. Equally
important to attracting the students
in the first place is providing incentive
for those students to remain as AIPG
members as they enter the workforce.
More effort should be made to keep contact with the students as they graduate
and become Young Professionals. Only
a small percentage of students remain
AIPG members after they graduate; I
would like to see the number of students
that remain active members increase,
and I believe that direct communication
with those students is a key to achieving
this goal.
I would also like to try to understand
why members (particularly CPGs) elect
to voluntarily discontinue their membership. With a little effort, I believe that
the Executive Committee can determine
whether individual members share common reasons and perhaps we can find
ways to support them and encourage
them to re-establish their AIPG credentials.
I believe that AIPG provides many
benefits to its members; the members just
need to become fully aware of everything
AIPG has to offer and take advantage
of it. Annual Meetings, local Section
meetings, technical presentations, field
trips, and networking are among a few
of these benefits. I know firsthand that
active participation in AIPG has helped
members that have sought employment
(either for the first time or after becoming
unemployed) readily find new positions;
this would not have been possible if those
members had not been AIPG members.
In conclusion, AIPG must look to the
future and for opportunities to be the best
organization to represent and support
professional geologists. I am dedicated to
looking for new opportunities to provide
added value to both current and prospective members.
I feel that my experience at the state
and national levels would greatly benefit our AIPG organization. It is our
organization, and it becomes what we
give back. I have proven my dedication
to the organization and look forward to
continued commitment to making AIPG
the best supporter of professional geologists. I look forward to the opportunity to
serve AIPG as 2016 President-Elect, and
would be honored if you would consider
voting for me. Please contact me if you
have any questions; my email address is
[email protected]. Thank you for your
consideration.
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 11
candidate for aipg national president-elect
Candidate for AIPG
National
President-Elect
John M. Stewart, CPG-11115
Greensboro, North Carolina
I want to thank the Nominating
Committee for considering me as a candidate for the position of AIPG’s Presidentelect for 2016. When Past-President
Ron Wallace called and asked if I would
consider running for the office, I could
not think of any greater opportunity and
honor, than to serve my fellow geologists
through AIPG.
My President-Elect statement may
sound like a rehash from previous statements, but that is because my ideas and
concerns remain unchanged. I became a
member of AIPG and CPG about eleven
years ago, not because I had to or because
someone made me, but simply because
I felt, as a professional geologist, it was
the right thing to do. It was a matter
of pride, letting those around me know
that I had taken the extra effort to do the
things I needed to do to become certified.
I know I am speaking to the choir, but
I believe as an organization we need to
continue to promote the ideals of AIPG
to our fellow geologists. That certification does mean something, whether
you “need it” or not. Our membership
records show a tremendous growth in
student members, which is great. We
have had a transition membership from
student to young professional for several
years and the numbers in this category
are also increasing. This is great news
and I strongly support these membership categories, but what have we done
lately to promote membership at the
professional level? Numbers of CPGs
over the last years have been declining.
When was the last time you asked one
of your fellow geologists to join AIPG
and become a CPG? As President-Elect,
one of my goals will be to develop a
strategy to engage working professional
geologists, while continuing to support
our students and young professionals.
Fifty years ago, Richard Proctor wrote
“AIPG was founded (in 1963) to promote
the profession of geology and to provide
certification for geologists as a vehicle for
establishing a standard of excellence for
the profession,” A History of AIPG, 19632003. Last year I challenged each of you
to “promote the profession of geology,”
by finding one new member that can
become certified, and thus elevating the
standard of excellence we are all judged
by. Interestingly, as a result of my challenge an old acquaintance contacted me
and asked me to sponsor him as a new
CPG. So my challenge this year is to
sponsor two new CPGs. I challenge you
to do it, too.
During my tenure as an Advisory
Board Member, I saw the rebirth of The
Foundation of the American Institute of
Professional Geologist (The Foundation).
Painful times but with rebirth comes
growth and great opportunity. The
Foundation is a great vehicle to promote
the ideals of AIPG through educational
grants for students and teachers, promoting field trips, and providing online
educational opportunities for geologists
and the general public. One of my goals
will be to work with The Foundation’s
Board to promote donations from our
members and member associations and
to continue the development of online
educational programs.
Finally, I want to encourage and
promote attendance at our annual conference. I was elected during my first
convention to the Executive Board as an
Advisory Board Representative and then
again the next year. If you want to get
involved you can, if not, I guarantee you
will have a good time, learn something
new, and meet some great new friends.
At that first convention, I met Andrew
Stone with the American Groundwater
Trust, which led to a water resources
conference in North Carolina. I met
and have become good friends with
Ron Wallace in Georgia, which has led
to trips to Wilmington, Asheville, and
Charlotte, North Carolina to represent
AIPG at regional and national GSA
conventions and to Co-host a session on
careers in geology at the GSA national
convention. This year I traveled to
the Southeast GSA in Chattanooga,
Tennessee to speak to students about
careers in geology and attended several mentoring programs with Ron. By
attending conferences, I have made new
professional contacts and have made new
life long friends from Illinois, Florida,
Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma,
New York and others.
If elected, I promise that I will continue to serve AIPG and its membership to
the best of my ability. I will attend to my
duties in a professional manner, attending all meetings, and represent AIPG
both nationally and internationally. I
will support the ideals of AIPG, both
at the National and Section level. I am
concerned about the plight of struggling
sections, and I want AIPG to continue a
strong student and young professional
membership push, but not at the expense
of our professional members, and I want
to see our membership become more
involved in The Foundation and annual
convention.
Again thank you to the Nominating
Committee for having faith in me and the
other nominees. I look forward to serving
you, the AIPG membership once again.
Please contact me with questions or
comments at [email protected].
12 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
candidate for aipg national Vice president
Candidate for AIPG
National
Vice President
Christine F. Lilek, CPG-10195
Juneau, Wisconsin
A few of us whispered at the 2015
Tucson Gem Show, “I prefer to collect
my own rocks” as we were dazzled by the
variety and magnitude of rocks from all
over the world. So, how could one little
piece of sandstone I collected at the birth
place of Tucson compare to all the glory
of the Gem Show?
The answer is: When I found and collected that little bit of Tucson, I became
a part of the rock’s story; and the rock
became a part of my life story. Geology
continues to have a deep personal connection to my life.
Serving our AIPG membership as
National Board Members, we must
remember that providing individual
learning experiences is just as important
as providing economic and professional
development resources.
As Vice President of our Association,
I would highlight and encourage replication of the personal learning experiences
our Sections and other earth science
organizations are providing throughout our nation. I would also encourage
matching young professional geologists
with mentors and advisors. Paper and
web documents provide a wide variety of
learning experiences, but if you can connect the student and young professional
with a real life location and teacher, we
can provide a deeper, life-long connection to geology and to our Association.
We’ve taken the local geology/
human connection concept seriously in
Wisconsin. One of the programs that our
Section helped create was the Wisconsin
State Master Naturalist training program. Geology is now one of prominent
portions of the training program for
nature educators. We teach our educators and the educators then teach
students of all ages that Wisconsin
www.aipg.org
geology is a living part of our state. It is
not only a beginning point, but geology
changes and supports us through time. It
is enduring part of the Wisconsin story.
A local/human connection is also being
made at my place of employment – the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
– Horicon Marsh Education Center. At
the newly constructed Horicon Marsh
Education Museum, we have a walk-in
glacier, which depicts the story of glacial geology in our place. As a volunteer
Master Naturalist myself, I will be able
to share glacial geology with our visiting
students as they touch, hear and see
realistic glacial processes as experienced
through the physical model, and make
that part of Wisconsin geology a part of
their life story.
These connections have been
made through out my geology career:
groundwater well drilling around the
UW-Milwaukee campus and exploring
the deep storm water tunnel drilling
project as an undergraduate, providing
Yahara Watershed Basin and Wellhead
protection training events as a graduate student, to siting and remediating landfills, wastewater storage
locations and land application sites as
a hydrogeologist and licensed geologist
(PG) at the Wisconsin DNR, Wisconsin
Electric Power Company and Mid-State
Associates.
Our AIPG Section in Wisconsin has
been working hard over the past five
years to provide geology connections
to many different people in Wisconsin
through our: Geology Day at the Capitol,
Door County Field Trip, Work on the Ice
Age Trail, Frac Sand Webinar, Earth &
Water Student Presentation Day, and
the upcoming Field Demo Day and 3rd
Student Presentation Day at Riveredge
Nature Center. UW-Whitewater has
agreed to become an AIPG Student
Chapter in exchange for a mentor/advisor offering from Section members. I
have helped lead these efforts by serving as the Section’s Vice President,
President and New Letter Editor.
As one of your National Board Advisors
for the past couple years, I worked hard
with the other advisors to reach out to
the Sections and share resources and
ideas between the Sections. Many of
the Sections are now joining together to
sponsor events and resources and the
advisory board continues to spread this
support throughout our Association.
It would be an honor and privilege to
serve as your National Vice President
and support the increase of personal
learning experiences for all categories
of AIPG members and grow a mentoring program for our students and young
professionals. I believe providing these
personal connections will ensure lifelong connections to geology and AIPG!
From the AIPG
National Executive
Committee
AIPG members please be advised
that Dr. Robert Stewart is no longer with AIPG headquarters.
Recruitment efforts for the position of AIPG Executive Director are
currently underway. Former AIPG
Executive Director William Siok has
agreed to come out of retirement to
serve as Interim Executive Director
until the search for a new AIPG
Executive Director concludes.
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 13
candidate for aipg national Vice president
Candidate for AIPG
National
Vice President
David G. Pyles, CPG-7364
Westmont, Illinois
I am grateful to be nominated for the
elected office of AIPG’s Vice-President
for 2016. My AIPG membership goes
back to August of 1987 when I obtained
my CPG. Since obtaining my CPG,
I have found professional stability,
growth and leadership within my professional career through my affiliation
with AIPG. My involvement and activeparticipation with AIPG began when
I attended a small (5-member) section
meeting one cold night in Chicago in
2008. At this meeting we discussed
our collective desire to re-kindle the
Illinois/Indiana Section meeting attendance and increase the general level
of activity. Shortly after that meeting,
I was nominated and elected Section
President and agreed to work on the
goals for the section. I was fortunate
because there was a good core-group of
Professional Geologists who were in the
area, had been active within the section
and were interested in the growth of section activities as well. This re-kindling
effort also came at a time when numerous regulations were being developed
that directly affected our profession
and included related licensure (Illinois
Geological Licensing Act). By taking a
leadership role in the development of
regulations and by stepping-up to act
as a liaison among other professional
geological societies in Illinois, AIPG
quickly became recognized among nonmember peers and relevant to our state
governments. With some outreach, the
section board grew, as did our meeting
attendance and section participation. It
was understood that a seat on the section’s board was a service commitment
to the geological community and our
profession. We established semi-annual
meetings with contemporary topics and
quality speakers. We created vendor
night events to assist in fundraising
for the section and also to provided
contractor demonstrations and related
hands-on training opportunities. We
host geological field trips, short-courses
with continuing education credits and
published semi-annual newsletters.
In 2011, the Illinois/Indiana section was selected to host AIPG’s 48th
Annual National Conference. I served
as Conference General Chairman. This
volunteer position provided me with an
opportunity to work with AIPG’s staff to
create, develop and host the conference.
This opportunity was far-reaching. I was
fortunate to work with AIPG’s management team and interact with so many
accomplished Professional Geologists;
truly a very rewarding experience. These
collective efforts have produced results.
We met our initial goals to improve the
activity in our section and regularly
have over 75 professionals attending
our meetings. This level of activity has
increased involvement and participation
from within the section membership
which has allowed for the creation of
new student chapters within our section.
After six years a serving as section President and my experience with
the national conference, I wanted to
serve on the National Advisory Board
and eventually serve on the Executive
Committee. I was elected in 2014 by
the national delegates to serve on the
National Advisory Board and again in
2015. I have served and continue to serve
on the National Advisory Board and feel
that I am up-to-speed with the activities
and issues required to seek a candidacy
for Vice-President.
Since this elected position is primarily to serve as the liaison between the
Executive Committee and the Sections,
it is most important to have effective
communications. One goal that I wish
to set is to develop and improve the
communication and interaction with
student chapters; with one focused goal
to improve the retention of students into
active AIPG membership after graduation. I believe the transition from a
student to a practicing geologist can
be improved for a higher retention into
membership while still continuing to
assist in mentoring. In addition, I wish to
work with the National Advisory Board
members to assist with supportive outreach to dormant sections and increase
student chapter growth. The success
and future of AIPG, and our profession,
rests upon the collective efforts of so
many dedicated AIPG members who
understand that contributing to our
profession is important and rewarding.
My efforts in volunteering to serve AIPG
is a rewarding contribution of my time
and talents to assure the profession is
recognized for its significance in society
both now and for future generations of
geologists to follow.
Vote
Vote
Vote
Vote
For those of you interested in
learning more about fine minerals shown on page 53, the Dallas
Mineral Collecting Symposium is
coming up this August 21-23, 2015.
Lectures by world-renowned geologists, mineralogists, engineers, and
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open at www.DallasSymposium.org.
14 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
candidate for aipg National Secretary
Candidate for AIPG
National
Secretary
Nathan D. Gruman, CPG-11688
Bloomington, Minnesota
I believe that education is the key
to the future success of the American
Institute of Professional Geologists. A
partnership with education, at all levels, will keep the professional geologist
relevant in society.
Of course the establishment of student chapters is fundamental to growing the number of members within
AIPG, but it also allows the professional
geologist to establish a relationship
with prospective employees as well as
the professors that are shaping the
minds of future geologists. Establishing
a working relationship with college and
university faculty is as important of a
connection as the relationship with the
students. By providing the connection
to student and faculty, the professional
geologist becomes a resource not only
for the student, but also for the faculty.
But college and university level outreach is only the beginning. We, as
professional geologists, have a responsibility to educate society as a whole.
The world is an ever-changing place,
and with the changes throughout the
world, there are local, regional, and
global-scale issues that people are trying to understand. What is going on
with climate change? How does our
current consumption of water resources
affect our life and the economy? What is
hydraulic fracturing and why is it used?
What role does geology play in the world
today? As geologists, we can provide an
educated perspective on many of these
topics and more as I have only brushed
the very surface. But in order to do that,
we need to provide service in the form
of education to society, as well as to
prospective geologists.
As of late, I have been speaking to a
variety of groups. These groups range
from first graders to church groups. With
both ends of spectrum, it was easy to hold
www.aipg.org
the attention of the audience. There is a
fundamental desire to understand how
the world works. Children see it in each
rock they pick up. The “shiny” rock that
caught their youthful imagination years
later becomes a wonderful hand-sample
of potassium feldspar and a cleavage
plane that reflects light. Adult, nongeologists see it in the world that they
currently live in with the climate changing or mining activities near their home
or the price of gas fluctuating. Having a
conversation with an adult, non-geologist can be challenging; however, when
provided information about how geology
and earth resources are integrated into
almost every aspect of our modern lives,
then an “ah-ha moment” occurs when the
proverbial light bulb turns on over their
head and they step back, to look at the
world with new eyes. Sometimes it is as
simple as asking questions and letting
non-geologist adults discover the answer
that they previously had not considered.
For the non-geologist adult, it is a question of stewardship: how do we live in
this world and still leave a suitable place
for our children?
Regardless of which path of education
we trod, it is by providing service to our
local communities that we can grow the
Institute. It can take the form of mentoring students and young professionals,
acting as a resource for academia and
government officials, or providing people
with a geological worldview that allows
for the shaping of educated opinions
regarding local or global issues. Our
stewardship as ethical, geological educators of society is a responsibility that
we need to embrace. My focus within the
Minnesota Section is on education of fellow member, new members, and society
as a whole. I would bring this focus to
the National-level as Secretary, and I
believe that focusing on education is in-
line with the future goals of the Institute.
By leveraging our diverse knowledge
and skills, we can provide consultation
to those making decisions and shaping
our world.
VOTE FOR THE LEGO
GEOLOGIST KIT
One of the joys of Lego toys is that
they can be used to create anything
you can imagine. Since 2008, the
Japanese company Cuusoo has been
helping Lego fans worldwide to create their own kits, and, with enough
votes, get them produced by Lego.
Recently, user “circeverba” submitted
her design for a geology themed kit.
Her objective is to share some of her
career activities and research tools
as a way to build awareness of what
geologists do. The kit come in two portions, a field section where two geologists are examining the stratigraphy
of a cave, and a lab portion with a
scanning electron microscope. The kit
also includes essential geologic items
such as a Brunton compass, a rock
hammer, and a field dog.
To be released as an official Lego
kit, the idea must receive 10,000
votes within a year. At the time of
writing, the proposal has just over
2000 votes less than a month after
it was submitted. If you would be
interested in seeing this kit in stores
in the future, please, lend your support. It takes less than five minutes
to support the project, and this could
become an important educational tool
for our industry.
Link to the page: https://ideas.
lego.com/projects/93813.
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 15
candidate for aipg National Secretary
Candidate for AIPG
National
Secretary
Keri A. Nutter, CPG-11579
Anchorage, Alaska
I am greatly honored to be nominated
for the position of AIPG Secretary for
2016 and 2017. Over the past two and
a half years, I have been drawn into
active participation with AIPG on the
National and Section levels. AIPG supports so many great efforts, but what
has really spoken to me in the short
time I have been actively involved is the
interaction between students and young
professionals with the professional and
CPG members. The resources that are
offered to students through AIPG are
invaluable. I have been privileged to be a
part of it through speaking to the Young
Professionals at the 2014 meeting in
Prescott, or discussing career opportunities with students at my local university.
I knew I wanted to be a geologist
beginning my freshman year of high
school. I chose a geology course on a
whim and found an unexpected passion.
From there, I completed my undergraduate studies at Washington State
University with the dream of being a
volcanologist. However, the reality of a
career in geotechnical engineering was
presented to me and the first ten years
have been fulfilling and rewarding. It
was my career as a field geologist that
taught me to ‘just say yes’ in order to
find new and exciting opportunities. The
opportunities started small, with getting
to see a village I would have never known
existed otherwise, and grew as I became
more involved in a professional society
because someone asked me to help out
one day.
When I heard that the AIPG
Executive Committee would be meeting
in Anchorage in May 2013, I figured it
was my chance to meet some folks and
see how I might be able to get involved
with AIPG locally. I never imagined the
warm welcome I received from the 2013
Executive Committee when I walked
into the conference room that snowy May
morning, but it was the start of a new
and rewarding path for me. It was those
AIPG leaders that encouraged me to participate and showed me opportunities
to get involved. They also had enough
faith in me to nominate a newcomer to
serve on the National Advisory Board
that I have had the honor to serve on
over the past two years. Receiving such
encouragement and support to a newly
minted CPG felt inspiring.
My service as a representative on
the National Advisory Board over the
past year and a half has led to many
continuing opportunities and expansion
of my professional network, but also
personal growth as I find comfort in
spending time with others who share
my enthusiasm and passion to further
the profession. I have become active
in the Alaska Section, serving as the
Vice President and co-chairing the 2015
Annual meeting planning committee (in
Anchorage!!!), and started to interact
regularly with geology students at the
University of Alaska Anchorage. AIPG
has even afforded me the chance to face
my public-speaking fears head on and
present to other young professionals at
the 2014 meeting in Prescott; the support before, during, and after one of the
most intense 20 minutes of my professional career was amazing and gave me
the confidence and inspiration to submit
an article (and get published!) in TPG.
As Secretary, I look forward to being
able to continue growing the relationships and connections I have established
with many of AIPG’s section leaders
and facilitating knowledge sharing and
maximizing resources between our local
sections. I will also continue to be an
advocate for support and involvement
from our students and young professionals; I was provided with the encourage-
ment and support of my professional
peers early on, and I want to pass on
what I can to the newest up and coming
professionals.
This journey has been incredibly
rewarding, even if overwhelming at
times. The opportunities that I have
been afforded since first meeting with
the Executive Committee in May 2013
are priceless and I look forward to many
more in the future. AIPG has become
an incredibly important part of my
professional and personal life, and the
work being done is endlessly rewarding. I appreciate your vote to serve as
Secretary and continue with the efforts
over the past year and a half, as well as
taking on new challenges.
Is Your Profile
Correct?
It is important to keep your
address, phone numbers,
and e-mail information
up to date in our records.
Please take the time to
go to the AIPG National
Website, www.aipg.org,
login to the member portion
of the site and make sure
your information is correct.
You can edit your record
online. If you do not know
your login and password
you can e-mail National
Headquarters at aipg@
aipg.org or call
(303) 412-6205.
16 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
candidate for aipg National Editor
Candidate for AIPG
National Editor
Jean M. Neubeck, CPG-11438
Clifton Park, New York
It has been my pleasure to serve as
TPG Interim Editor during the past
several months, and I hope you will allow
me to continue as AIPG Editor next year.
My vision for AIPG is to communicate
the role of geology to the public and promote the profession through outreach,
media, and personal contact; to advocate
for the professional and ethical practice
by qualified geologists through AIPG
certification and state licensure; and
to communicate to members and new
recruits AIPG’s role in representing the
profession.
I declared my geology major later than
most, during my third year as an undergraduate, after realizing the man-made
business of accounting was not portable
and worse, was illogical. I was fortunate
as a junior and senior to work summers
as a field geologist, and after graduating
accepted some insecure positions that
offered me the opportunity to learn and
travel. With more experience under my
belt, I later helped start and operate a
private consulting practice, which has
educated me in the ways of business,
management, and government. More
recently, I have made time to serve in
local and state professional groups to
foster communication and cooperation
among geological organizations.
As a member of the Northeast Section
AIPG, I recently organized joint meetings with local and state geologic organizations in 2013 and 2014 to promote
networking, participation, and awareness. Helping to communicate in nongeological terms and educate various
stakeholders also was key to bolster
support for the 2014 passage of a geology
practice law in New York that licenses
geologists and recognizes geology as a
profession.
www.aipg.org
Visibility and Communication are
two areas where I envision AIPG can
enhance its status as the national organization that represents all Professional
Geoscientists. Visibility is critical to
create awareness, relevancy, and value
for the profession by recognizing geologists’ contributions to society. AIPG
can raise its visibility by developing
scientific statements that appreciate
societal needs and educate the public;
networking with related professions and
technical organizations to work cooperatively; continuing to provide and support
educational opportunities; and by representing the profession publically.
It is my opinion that geologic communication must focus on scientific
methods and facts to inform and educate. Communicating geologic principles
also will help promote innovative solutions that address society’s needs and
concerns. It is unrealistic to respond
negatively, or to proselytize or prohibit
activities. We should not attempt to
impose specific values or formulate public opinion. By avoiding political policy
and agenda, we will help maintain our
scientific credibility and will encourage
public trust for geologic input, which
will benefit both society and successive
generations of geologists.
I have heard some geologists contend
that there is no future value in AIPG
because they hold a state-issued P.G.
license. We need to better communicate our message to members that (in
accordance with the bylaws) AIPG is the
national organization that “protects the
public from unprofessional practices,”
and also serves and represents the individual geologist.
Recruiting and retaining students
and young professionals is critical, and
our efforts must be supported by continuing to offer or increase services,
such as facilitating mentoring, increasing awareness, and communicating the
role of geology to the public. AIPG
should continue to engage professors
and help bridge academia with business
and industry needs to develop responsive
programs. AIPG can continue to promote
the professional and ethical practice of
geology through direct communication
with the public and related professions.
As Editor and a member of the
Executive Committee, I welcome all
your input, especially criticism and new
ideas. My vision for TPG and eNews
includes supporting visibility and communication by providing links to student
papers and theses; disseminating industry developments that affect the profession; providing a forum and encouraging
dialogue among students, professionals,
and employers; communicating AIPG’s
relevancy and services to members;
continuing to publish awards and interviews; and creating more appreciation of
geologists’ contributions by highlighting
the headlines to promote awareness of
critical issues such as geologic hazards,
water supply, energy, minerals, environmental quality, and infrastructure,
among others.
I respectfully ask for your vote of support to continue as TPG Editor. Thank
you for your consideration.
VOTE
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 17
candidate for aipg national president-elect 2016
Adam W. Heft
John M. Stewart
CPG-10265
Holt, Michigan
CPG-11115
Greensboro, North Carolina
Statement of purpose or goals you
have for AIPG: My goals as PresidentElect are to communicate the value of AIPG
membership to members and non-members,
and to work at increasing membership numbers of students, Young Professionals, and
CPGs alike.
Universities Attended
Central Michigan University
Michigan State University
Degrees Granted
B.S. Geology and Earth Science
M.S. Geology
Dates
1990
1993
Statement of purpose or goals
you have for AIPG: My goals as
President-Elect are to: develop a strategic
initiative to re-evaluate the structure of the
Sections to improve membership numbers
and retention; continue to work with struggling and disenfranchised Sections; to
continue a strong student and young professional membership push, but not
at the expense of our older members; and to see our membership become
more involved in the Foundation.
CompanyTitle
Peterson Environmental Services Field Geologist
Fitzgerald Henne & Associates
Project Manager
Parsons Brinckerhoff
Senior Supervising Geologist
Dates
1993-1994
1994-2009
2009-Present
Universities Attended
Texas A&M University
University of Texas - Austin
University of Missouri - Columbia
Degrees Granted
B.S. Wildlife & Fisheries Science
Undergraduate Geology
M.S. Geology
AIPG Activities
AIPG Michigan Section Assistant Newsletter Editor
AIPG 44th Annual Meeting, Traverse City, MI-Chairman
AIPG Michigan Section Award-Significant Contribution Award
AIPG National Presidential Certificate of Merit
AIPG Michigan Section Newsletter Editor
AIPG National Advisory Board Representative
AIPG National Secretary
AIPG Annual Meeting Michigan Section Delegate
AIPG Representative NC GSA, Kalamazoo, MI
AIPG Annual Meeting Michigan Section Delegate
AIPG National Section Leadership Award
Dates
1999-2007
2007
2007
2008
2008-Present
2009
2010-2011
2011
2013
2014
2014
CompanyTitle
Dates
(Southwest) MO State University Instructor
1984 to 1987
NC Dept. of Environment, Health,
and Natural Resources
Hydrogeologist II, Supervisor
1987-1989
BPA Environmental & Engineering Hydrogeologist
1989-2001
Trigon Engineering/Kleinfelder
Senior Hydrogeologist
2001-2011
ECS Carolinas, LLP
Branch Manager, Principal Geologist
2011-2014
ECS Carolinas, LLP
Chief Geologist
2014-Present
AIPG Activities
AIPG Carolinas Section President
AIPG National Advisory Board Representative
AIPG Carolinas Section Co-Chaired Water Resources Conference AIPG Representative SE GSA, Wilmington, NC
AIPG Representative SE GSA, Asheville, NC
AIPG National Position Statement Committee
AIPG National Co-Chaired “Careers in Geology” Session - National GSA
AIPG National Student Outreach Committee
AIPG Representative SE GSA, Blacksburg, VA
Dates
1978
1982
1984
Dates
2006-Present
2010 and 2011
2011
2011
2012
2012
2012
2013
2014
Letter from AGI
Dear Member Society President/Executive Director/Council Representative,
As part of the American Geosciences Institute’s mission to bring together the wide array of geoscientists, we see EARTH
Magazine as a means to relate the breadth of the science to everyone in our community. To this end, we seek your help
in offering a free 90-day (3 issues) digital trial to EARTH Magazine for your members. As you are probably aware, AGI
has published EARTH since 1956 (formerly Geotimes until 2008) and, now with the U.S. publishing landscape shifting
rapidly to digital, we are in a position to offer three months of the digital edition of EARTH FREE to all the geoscientists
belonging to our 50 member societies.
All we ask is that you make your membership aware of this offer and provide them with the following URL
http://www.earthmagazine.org/trial
which goes to a web page with easy to follow instructions where they can sign up for free three months of EARTH in their
favorite digital format. For those that already subscribe, they will get 3 free months added on to the end of their existing
digital subscription! There is absolutely NO obligation to your members. Those that sign up for the trial will be provided
the opportunity to renew as a regular subscriber. EARTH is only $20 annually in digital format, anywhere in the world.
We appreciate your time and consideration. If you are willing to participate, please email John Rasanen at [email protected] and he will assist you.
Sincerely,
P. Patrick Leahy, Ph.D.
Executive Director
18 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
candidate for aipg national Vice president 2016
Christine F. Lilek
David G. Pyles
CPG-10195
Juneau, Wisconsin
CPG-7364
Westmont, Illinois
Statement of purpose or goals
you have for AIPG: As Vice President,
I would highlight and encourage replication
of the personal learning experiences our
Sections and other earth science organizations are providing throughout our nation. I
would also encourage matching young professional geologists with mentors and advisors. Paper and web documents
provide a wide variety of learning experiences, but if you can connect the
student and young professional with a real life location and teacher, we can
provide a deeper, life-long connection to geology and to AIPG.
Universities Attended
UW - Milwaukee
Edgewood College, Madison
Degrees Granted
B.S. Geology
M.A. Env. Ethics & Stewardship
Dates
1981
1995
CompanyTitle
Dates
WI Dept. Natural Resources
Hydro Geologist & Bus. Development Specialist 1985-1991
WI Electric Power Company
Environmental Project Manager
1991-1993
Mid-State Associates
Environmental Project Manager
1993-1996
Wisconsin State Parks
Ranger - Naturalist
1996-2001
WI Dept. Natural Resources
Hydro Geologist & Bus. Development Specialist 2001-Present
AIPG Activities
AIPG Wisconsin Section Vice President
AIPG Wisconsin Section Chair – Geology Day at Capitol
AIPG Wisconsin Section President
AIPG Wisconsin Chair – Earth & Water Student Presentation Day
AIPG National Presidential Certificate of Merit
AIPG National Advisory Board Representative
AIPG Wisconsin Section Newsletter Editor
Dates
2009-2011
2010
2012-Present
2013
2013
2014-Present
2014-Present
Statement of purpose or goals
you have for AIPG: My purpose in
seeking this Vice President position is
to continue to improve the function and
reach of this elected office; which is to be
an effective liaison between the Executive
Committee and the Sections. The goal will
be to add and/or create more standardized and frequent communications
with the sections, including the student sections.
Universities Attended
Drake University
Iowa State University
AIPG Activities
AIPG Illinois/Indiana Section President
AIPG 48th Annual Meeting, Bloomingdale, IL-Chairman
AIPG Illinois/Indiana Section Advisory Board/Past-President
AIPG National Advisory Board
GSA/AIPG Inter-society Liaison for Professional Development
This is a chance to get to know your fellow colleagues
attending the annual meeting. This Sunday evening reception
is the perfect opportunity to renew aquaintances, meet new
people, and visit exhibitors. The reception will feature a cash
bar and hors d’oeuvres.
AIPG Awards and Dinner
Date: Time: Cost: Monday, September 21, 2015
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
$65 per person. All attendees welcome..
Dates
2008-2013
2011
2013-Present
2014-2015
2014 (3-year Term)
Business Meetings
Welcome Reception
Sunday, September 20, 2015
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Included in Registration
Dates
1980
1983
CompanyTitle
Dates
U.S.G.S.–Nuclear Waste Isolation Program, Yucca, Mountain, NV Hydrologist
1980-1981
Thorpe Well Company
Geologist
1981-1983
Roy F. Weston, Inc.
Geologist/Project Manager
1984-1989
Environ. Restoration Systems
Project Manager/ Vice President
1989-1993
KPRG and Associates, Inc.
Principal/President
1993-Present
Social Events
Date: Time: Cost: Degrees Granted
B.A. Earth Sciences
M.S. Geology
AIPG Executive Committee Meeting
Date: Time: Friday, September 18, 2015
8:00 am to 12:00 pm
AIPG Advisory Board Meeting
Date: Time: Friday, September 18, 2015
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
AIPG 2015-2016 Joint Executive Committee
Meeting & Business Meeting
Date: Time: Friday, September 18, 2015
4:30 pm to 5:00 pm
The AIPG meetings are open to all registrants/
Monday evening will be a pleasant one in the company of
friends and colleagues. The festivities will begin with the AIPG
National Awards presentation. Dinner will follow. This event
is intended to informal, relaxing and an opportunity for all
attendees to meet and socialize.
www.aipg.org
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 19
candidate for aipg national Secretary 2016-2017
Nathan D. Gruman
Keri A. Nutter
CPG-11688
Bloomington, Minnesota
CPG-11579
Anchorage, Alaska
Statement of purpose or goals you
have for AIPG: My goal is to increase
awareness of AIPG within the community,
specifically within colleges and universities by
ushering graduates into the practicing professional world.
Universities Attended
University of Minnesota
Degrees Granted
B.S. Geology
Dates
2004
CompanyTitle
Dates
J. River, Inc.
Product Manager
1996-2001
American Petrographic Srvs, Inc. Petrographic Technician
2004-2005
West Central Environmental Consultants, Inc.
Geologist
2005-2006
Braun Intertec Corporation
Staff Geologist
2006-2013
Braun Intertec Corporation
Corporate Safety Specialist
2013-present
AIPG Activities
AIPG Minnesota President-Elect
AIPG Minnesota President
AIPG Minnesota Past President
AIPG Minnesota Section Educational Chair
Dates
2012
2013-2014
Present
Present
Statement of purpose or goals
you have for AIPG: Students and
young professionals are incredibly important
to the continuing success and growth of
AIPG. It is my primary goal to encourage
the engagement of students and young professionals through opportunities with AIPG
at both the local and national level. I would also like to encourage continued
coordination and communication between AIPG sections and the National
Executive Committee through regular discussions and partnerships of events.
Universities Attended
University of Alaska Anchorage
Washington State University
Degrees Granted
Undergraduate Studies
B.S. Geology
Dates
2001
2004
CompanyTitle
DOWL
Staff Geologist
DOWL
Geotechnical Engineering Manager
Dates
2004-2013
2013-Present
AIPG Activities
AIPG Annual Meeting Alaska Section Delegate
AIPG Annual Meeting Speaker
AIPG National Advisory Board Representative
AIPG Alaska Section Vice President
AIPG Annual Meeting Co-Chairman
Dates
2013
2014
2014-Present
2014-Present
2015
20 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
candidate for aipg national Editor 2016-2017
Jean M. Neubeck
CPG-11438
Clifton Park, New York
Statement of purpose or goals
you have for AIPG: To raise the
visibility of geologists by communicating
the role of geology to the public and promoting the profession through outreach;
to advocate for the ethical and professional practice through AIPG certification
and state licensure; and to communicate AIPG’s role of representing geologists to its members and new recruits.
Universities Attended
Degrees Granted
State Univ. of NY at Binghamton B.S. Geology
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 24 graduate hours Geology and Civil Engineering
Dates
1981
1983-1986
CompanyTitle
Dates
Betz-Converse-Murdoch, Inc.
Geologist
1980-1981
Beak Consultants, Inc.
Geologist
1981-1982
Engineering Science, Inc., and Phillip J. Clark Engineers
Geologist
1983
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Research Assistant, Civil Engineering
1984-1985
United States Geological Survey Research Assistant Hydrologist
1985
Hart Environmental Mgmt. Corp. Senior Geologist
1986-1989
Dunn Geoscience Corporation
Senior Geologist/Hydrogeologist
1989-1991
Alpha Geoscience
Senior Geologist/Hydrogeologist
1991-Present
AIPG Activities
AIPG Northeast Section Fall Meeting Committee
AIPG Northeast Section Fall Meeting Committee Chair
AIPG Annual Meeting Northeast Section Delegate
AIPG Northeast Section Executive Committee Member
AIPG National TPG Interim Editor
Dates
2013
2014
2014
2013-Present
2014 (Oct)-2015
An Update from the NYS
Council of Professional
Geologists, Transition
Committee Chair and PastPresident John M. Nadeau,
CPG-11181
The law that establishes the profession
of geology in New York State was signed by
Governor Cuomo in November 2014. This law is
identified as Chapter 475 of 2014. As a requirement to signing that legislation, the Governor
noted that three specific Chapter Amendments
were needed to 1) correct a typographical error,
2) allow flexibility in administrating future
exams, and 3) to appoint geologists to the
joint Professional Board for Engineering, Land
Surveying, and Geology, in order to facilitate
the regulation-writing phase in a timely manner. Those Chapter Amendments that were
requested by the Governor passed both legislative houses in early March, and then were
forwarded to Governor Cuomo’s office where he
signed the amendments on March 16, 2015. The
amendment legislation was codified into law as
Chapter 9 of the Laws of 2015.
www.aipg.org
Attending the AIPG
Annual Meeting???
Book Your Hotel
Rooms NOW!!!!
Hilton Anchorage Hotel
500 West Third Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99501
Hotel: 1-800-HILTONS
Room Rate: $137-AIPG15
Hotel Reservations online
Hosted by AIPG National and
Co-hosted by AIPG Alaska Section
Hope to See You There!
To appoint representative geologists on
the Licensing Board, the State Education
Department, Office of the Professions reviewed
the applications of several geologists during
January and February. Three people were
referred to the NYS Board of Regents and were
approved at their March 2015 meeting. The
approval by the Regents and the Governor’s signature on the Chapter Amendments were the
final hurdles to geologists being added to the
Licensing Board. We are pleased to announce
that David A. Franzi, Ph.D., William J. Kelly,
Ph.D., and Jean Neubeck, CPG-11438, were
confirmed by the Regents on March 17, 2015.
Now that three geologist representatives have
been added to the joint Board, a committee will
be formed to prepare the regulations for the
State Education Department.
The NYS State Education Department
portal to download applications, review the
(pending) regulations, once those are established, and other information for the Profession
of Geology can be accessed at http://www.
op.nysed.gov/prof/geo/. As always, you are
welcome to contact John at [email protected] with questions regarding the
process of the Law’s establishment and implementation.
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 21
Official AIPG 2015 Ballot
National Officer Election
PRESIDENT-ELECT (President in 2017)
Adam W. Heft, CPG-10265
Michigan Section
John M. Stewart, CPG-11115
Carolinas Section
VICE PRESIDENT (Term of Office 2016)
Christine F. Lilek, CPG-10195
Wisconsin Section
David G. Pyles, CPG-7364
Illinois/Indiana Section
SECRETARY (Term of Office 2016-2017)
Nathan D. Gruman, CPG-11688
Minnesota Section
Election of officers shall be by a ballot.
The ballot shall be sent to all Members by
May 15. Election shall be by the majority of all qualified ballots cast. In order
to be counted, ballots must be received at
Institute Headquarters on a date named by
the Executive Committee, which date shall
be no later than June 30.
Only AIPG CPGs, Memebers and Young
Professionals are authorized to Vote.
Ballots Must Be Received At Headquarters
By JUNE 30, 2014. Your AIPG Name and
Member Number Must Be Printed Below
For The Ballot To Be Valid.
Name ________________________________
Member
Number_______________________________
Keri A. Nutter, CPG-11579
Alaska Section
EDITOR (Term of Office 2016-2017)
Jean M. Neubeck, CPG-11438
Northeast Section
Mail your ballot to:
AIPG
12000 Washington St, Suite 285
Thornton, CO 80241
__________________
Vote Online or Mail in this ballot
22 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
AIPG Student Chapters
Bowling Green University
James Madison University
University of St. Thomas
Central Michigan University
Ohio State University
University of TennesseeChattanooga
Founded in 2004
Chapter Sponsor:
Robert K. Vincent, MEM-0216
Founded in 2003
Chapter Sponsor:
Eric Wallis, CPG-09518
Colorado School of Mines
Founded in 1999
Chapter Sponsor:
Graham Closs, CPG-07288
Columbus State University
Founded in 2011
Chapter Sponsor
Ron Wallace, CPG-08153
Eastern Illinois University
Founded in 2013
Chapter Sponsor:
Craig McCammack, MEM-1295
Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 2006
Chapter Sponsor:
Walter J. Bolt, CPG-10289
Florida Atlantic University
Founded in 2014
Chapter Sponsor:
Anne Murray, CPG-11645
Florida State University
Founded in 2014
Chapter Sponsor:
Anne Murray, CPG-11645
Georgia Southwestern
State University
Founded in 2013
Chapter Sponsor:
Ronald Wallace, CPG-08153
Georgia State University
Founded in 2005
Chapter Sponsor:
Ronald Wallace, CPG-08153
www.aipg.org
Founded in 1998
Chapter Sponsor:
Cullen Sherwood, CPG-02811
Founded in 2004
Chapter Sponsor:
Robin Roth, CPG-09264
Metropolitan State
University of Denver
Founded in 2013
Chapter Sponsor:
Thomas Van Arsdale, CPG-11073
Middle Tennessee State
University
Founded in 2014
Chapter Sponsor:
Todd McFarland, CPG-11348
Temple University
Founded in 2006
Chapter Sponsor:
Dennis Pennington, CPG-04401
University of California-Davis
Founded in 2010
Chapter Sponsor:
James Jacobs, CPG-07760
Founded in 2015
Chapter Sponsor
Sara Nelson, MEM-2505
Founded in 2014
Chapter Sponsor
John R. Sewell, MEM-2487
University of West Georgia
Founded in 2010
Chapter Sponsor:
Eric Lowe, MEM-0385
Wayne State University
Founded in 2012
Chapter Sponsor:
John Barkach, CPG-09121
Western Michigan University
Founded in 2015
Chapter Sponsor:
John Barkach, CPG-09121
Wright State University
Founded in 1996
Chapter Sponsor:
Thomas Berg, CPG-08208
University of Georgia
Founded in 2011
Chapter Sponsor
Ron Wallace, CPG-08153
University of Nevada-Reno
Founded in 2008
Chapter Sponsor:
Jonathan G. Price, CPG-07814
University of Northern
Colorado
Founded in 2014
Chapter Sponsor:
Willam Hoyt, CPG-07015
University of South Dakota
Founded in 2013
Chapter Sponsor
Derric Iles, CPG-10986
Your section
needs to start a
Student Chapter
Today. Contact
Vickie Hill at AIPG
Headquarters for
more details.
[email protected]
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 23
Thank You for 25 Years!
David FitchCPG-07704
RenoNV
Judith FlookCPG-07601
BroomfieldCO
Eric FloydCPG-07716
Palm DesertCA
Earl AbbottCPG-07611
David GayCPG-07621
RenoNV
Sugar GroveIL
David AdamsCPG-07586
Nancy GilbertCPG-07648
FairbanksAK
Ft. LauderdaleFL
Donald AdamsCPG-07633
Lawrence GravesCPG-06182
SpringTX
ColumbusOH
Robert Bass Jr.
CPG-07732
Roger GreshCPG-07580
New OrleansLA
Lake OswegoOR
Bennett BeardenCPG-07700
John GuhlCPG-07570
TuscaloosaAL
Chippewa FallsWI
Patricia BeaverCPG-07664
Gary HaagCPG-07667
DenverCO
Hot SpringsSD
Theresa BeddoeCPG-07598
James HamiltonCPG-07718
WatertownNY
SacramentoCA
William BergCPG-07626
Steve HampCPG-07562
Fort CollinsCO
Santa FeNM
Robert BlackstoneCPG-07701
Paul HareCPG-07677
CasperWY
Ballston LakeNY
Carol BowersCPG-07689
Danny HarrelsonCPG-07734
Falls ChurchVA
VicksburgMS
Michael BoweryCPG-07592
Donald HeimmerCPG-07692
Fullerton CA
LittletonCO
Robert BraunsteinCPG-07690
Gary HendersonCPG-07581
Eagle RiverAK
AlbuquerqueNM
Ronald BrooksCPG-07770
Curtis HudakCPG-07771
FairbanksAK
StillwaterMN
Karen BurnettCPG-07623
James JacobsCPG-07760
Punta GordaFL
Mill ValleyCA
James BushCPG-07715
Donald JamesCPG-07694
BakersfieldCA
Fort WorthTX
Gary CiprianoCPG-07742
Richard JohnsonCPG-07720
WinfieldIL
Grand JunctionCO
Robert ClayCPG-07579
Michael JohnsonCPG-07752
West MifflinPA
VancouverBC
Robert ColpittsCPG-07702
Raymond JohnsonCPG-07735
WeatherfordTX
WestboroughMA
Craig CoxCPG-07612
Theodore KendallCPG-07721
Plain CityOH
EveregreenCO
Daniel CravensCPG-07599
David KerschnerCPG-07722
Cedar CrestNM
DuquesnePA
Daniel EydeCPG-07647
Richard KlimstraCPG-07571
TucsonAZ
QuincyIL
Michael FedoshCPG-07691
Donald MarlinCPG-07696
MiddletownNJ
Manitou SpringsCO
Roger FisherCPG-07593
Brian MartinekCPG-07640
MagnoliaTX
GoldenCO
The following members have received their 25 year pin
and certificate. Your dedication to AIPG throughout the
years is truly appreciated. It has ensured the growth and
success of the Institute. Please join AIPG headquarters
in thanking these members for their continuous support.
24 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
Thank You for 25 Years!
Robert McCurdyCPG-07726
David TrainorCPG-07755
ParachuteCO
MiddletonWI
Mark MenardCPG-07636
Mark TrimbleCPG-07609
EnumclawWA
Scott DepotWV
Patricia MorrisCPG-07657
Robert TurkaCPG-07568
AlexandriaVA
MurrysvillePA
Christopher MottaCPG-07565
Jeffrey ValvikCPG-07569
Fair LawnNJ
BethlehemPA
Bimal MukhopadhyayCPG-07708
Rudy Vogt IIICPG-07575
Las VegasNV
LouisvilleKY
Susan MuroskoCPG-07737
Dean WiltonCPG-07659
SykesvilleMD
SparksNV
Bradford NelsonCPG-07643
Eric WindesheimCPG-07673
HudsonOH
CascadeCO
Pixie NewmanCPG-07764
Douglas WinzelerCPG-07576
ChicagoIL
Oklahoma CityOK
Mary PankratzCPG-07622
Henry WiseCPG-07697
AppletonWI
Sugar LandTX
Ronald ParrattCPG-07616
Joseph WojcikCPG-07776
RenoNV
ArvadaCO
Anthony PetresCPG-07606
Mark ZbylotCPG-07757
Rapid CitySD
IrvingTX
Marilyn PlitnikCPG-07661
Sandra ZelenCPG-07699
AnchorageAK
Chestnut HillMA
Clifford PollockCPG-07572
PasadenaCA
Dennis PrezbindowskiCPG-07682
SyracuseIN
George ReidCPG-07597
Geoscience Online
PleasantonCA
Learning Initiative
Jenny RytelCPG-07617
(GOLI) - AGI/AIPG
ChattanoogaTN
Scott SaroffCPG-07745 You, as an AIPG Member, are invited and encouraged to submit a presentation to be given online for
ManliusNY
the Geoscience Online Learning Initiative (GOLI). AGI
Mark SchmidtCPG-07670
and AIPG have teamed up to build a portfolio of online
RavennaOH
learning opportunities to help support the professional
Carol SerlinCPG-07650
development of prospective and early-career geosciIrvineCA
entists as well as addressing topics of interest to the
Abdul ShakoorCPG-07746
broader geoscience profession. GOLI courses support
KentOH
both synchronous and asynchronous online learning,
and count toward continuing education units (CEUs).
Patricia SmithCPG-07662
DenverCO
A $200 stipend and 10% share of registration fees
are provided to the presenters (details on presenters
Jonathan SprecherCPG-07747
guide).
BendOR
Michael StamperCPG-07686 If you are interested please read the GOLI AGI/AIPG Presenters Guide and Guidelines and
KingsportTN
Suggestions for Webinar Presentations on the AIPG
Donald StevensCPG-07573
National website (www.aipg.org).
AnchorageAK
Guy Swenson
IIICPG-07574
AIPG, 303-412-6205
MarcellusNY
www.aipg.org
John TomikCPG-07625
Virginia BeachVA
www.aipg.org
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 25
editor’s corner
Professional Status
and the Status of the
Profession
Jean M. Neubeck, CPG-11438
As I write this, New York State is in an 18-month process of
crafting the regulations that will govern the newly-established
profession of geology and licensing geologists that will take
effect in November 2016. It’s an exciting time for those of us
who worked for many years to achieve the professional status
in NY that approximately 30 other states have already established. So I have been thinking about what professional status
means and the reasons that we want to obtain our license.
There are many licenses that one can obtain - a driver’s
license is obvious, in addition to state programs (in NY for
example) that license water well drillers, real estate services,
cosmetology, security guards, and home inspectors, among
many others. These licenses allow one to legally provide
services, but these careers are not designated as “professions.” So when the New York State Council of Professional
Geologists sought licensure for geologists, some legislators
asked why geology should be considered profession. After all,
isn’t licensure itself sufficient? It became clear that there are
licenses, and there are licensed professions. It was, and still
is, important that geology to be recognized as a profession, as
the practice of geology directly affects human health and the
environment.
The myriad of geologic contributions to all aspects of life is
obvious to us. When we study the occurrence and properties
of rocks and minerals, earthquakes, terrains and morphology, karst, surface and ground water, marine and coastal
processes, subsurface structures, glacial processes, volcanoes,
etc., we are contributing directly and indirectly to benefit society. These contributions take the form of understanding the
earth and its processes. Geologists apply that knowledge to
locating earth materials (minerals, petroleum, building stone,
energy resources); predicting events and mitigating damage
(earthquake intensity and displacement, building codes,
floods, coastal shoreline and soil erosion, land subsidence),
and developing and protecting water supplies (drinking water,
industrial and commercial use), to list just a few.
Geologic contributions impact broad and global sectors economics, energy, geopolitics and strategy, civil works, social
issues, agriculture, environmental stewardship, climate and
land use, among others. Because geology contributes to and
affects so many aspects of life, it is reasonable to be professionally licensed to practice geology. Having justified the
profession, the question is, for what reason do geologists want
to hold a professional license?
The legal purpose of licensure is (ostensibly) to protect the
public and provide a level of assurance and liability, that the
licensee holds the minimum requirements to competently
practice and provide services to the public. Licensure is for
those accepting the responsibility of being in charge - stamp-
ing a design, drawing, or document. In fact, there is pressure
in the private sector to have credentials, pressure for public
employees to raise their pay grade, etc., not to mention perception and ego. But all geologists do not need to be licensed. Like
many engineers, many geologists work in research and development, public sector, academia, or practice under licensed
professionals their entire career. (I am licensed in two states
and have yet to be required to stamp a geologic document or
drawing, although I have signed non-design documents as a
licensed geologist.)
This leads me to the point about the status of the professional practice. We want to be considered professionals and
have our work be recognized as a professional product, but
there is internal and external pressure to practice conservatively. Once we obtain a license and have to “sign here,”
we tend to avoid risk by conforming to standards or meeting
criteria developed by others including legal and non-geologic
professions. Some professionals rely on “look up” tables, regulatory policies, or other practices that are legally defensible,
but often, we understand from our work that the science and
geologic conditions support a unique solution.
Of course, it is understandable to meet legal requirements
and we want to keep our jobs, but we if we wish to be professionals then we should practice as scientists. This means
communicating clearly and supporting our interpretation
with facts, which likely involves some degree of uncertainty,
e.g., professional risk. It tested my patience recently to argue
an environmental issue where a consultant insisted that a
client sample soil quality from a tank closure 27 years ago
even though we had 25 years(!) of ground water monitoring
data – how could I be so confident that there isn’t significantly
contaminated soil?
Guy Swenson, CPG-07574, wrote a good piece about the
geologic profession and accepting risk in the May 2015 newsletter of the Central New York Association of Professional
Geologists. With Guy’s blessing, I am borrowing some from his
President’s letter, but our thoughts are similar. To indelicately
restate Guy’s key point and add my take, it is human nature to
avoid unnecessary risk, but we did not work so hard to achieve
professional status just to allow the status of the profession
to devolve into a box-checking, hedge-wording, risk-adverse,
milquetoast profession.
Guy writes “…[risks] expose us to critique by regulatory
agencies, clients, other professionals, and lawsuits. So we
find ways to minimize these risks by collecting extra data…
just presenting data with little interpretation… getting insurance, and relying on presumptive remedies. As scientists
Editor’s column continued on page 42.
26 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Answers on Page 29
Robert G. Font, CPG-03953
[email protected]
1. In paleontology and concerning the hierarchy that applies to the Linnean system of taxonomical classification (for the
animal Kingdom), what rank lies between “Class” and “Family’?
a) “Genus”
b) “Phylum”
c) “Order”
2
Which of the following radioactive dating techniques for determining absolute geologic time involves beta decay of the
parent element with a half-life of about 5,730 years?
a)
Uranium 238 to Lead 206 (and helium)
b)
Rubidium 87 to Strontium 87
c)
Carbon 14 to Nitrogen 14
3. Which
a)
b)
c)
4
of these terms, indicative of environments of deposition, pertains to a marsh or swamp?
Littoral
Lacustrine
Paludal
The mathematical theory of elasticity is applicable in developing solutions related to seismicity and rock mechanics. Among
the key elastic properties of rocks a critical quantity is Poisson’s Ratio, or the negative ratio of transverse to axial strain,
or the percentage of expansion divided by the percentage of compression. Poisson’s Ratio can be expressed directly as a
function of the ratio of P-wave to S-wave velocity! Now, let (λ) and (μ) be the Lamé constants, (E) be the Young’s Modulus,
(σ) be Poisson’s ratio, (Vp) be the P-wave velocity and (Vs) be the shear wave velocity. Given the well-known relationships:
(1)
Vp2 / Vs2 = (λ/μ) + 2 λ = (Eσ) / [ (1+σ)(1-2σ)]
(2)
μ = E / [2(1+σ)]
(3)
Which of the following equations expresses Poisson’s Ratio (σ) as a direct function of (Vp/Vs)?
a)
σ = [(Vp2 / Vs2) – 3] / [(3Vp2/ Vs2) – 2]
b)
σ = [(Vp2 / Vs2) – 4] / [(4Vp2/ Vs2) – 1]
c)
σ = [(Vp2 / Vs2) – 2] / [(2Vp2/ Vs2) – 2]
d)
WHAT? Gag me with a spoon!
5. From the equations given in problem 4, it is possible to calculate a range for Poisson’s ratio (if Poisson’s Ratio is a positive
number, as it is expected for rocks). What is this range?
a)
σ = 0 to 0.25
b)
σ = 0 to 0.50
c)
Man, this is going from bad to worse!
www.aipg.org
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 27
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Stay the Course!
J. Foster Sawyer, CPG-10000
[email protected]
In this column I would like to consider
some of the ramifications of the recent
downturn in the petroleum industry
with respect to students and young professionals in the geosciences. I remember
a similar situation in the mid-1980s
when I had just completed a Bachelor of
Science degree in Geology at about the
same time that a slump in the petroleum
industry occurred, layoffs ensued, and
job opportunities were scarce. To compound the problem, many recent graduates and young professionals (including
me) were electing to enroll in graduate
programs to broaden their skills and
delay their entry into a slow job market
which meant that acceptance into graduate programs was more competitive as
well. I was initially interested in the
petroleum industry; however, at that
time I found greater opportunity in
groundwater related fields, and eventually I went on to complete a doctorate
in groundwater hydrology which led to
an extremely interesting and rewarding
career. During that timeframe I also saw
numerous student colleagues and young
professionals elect to leave the geoscience
field for seemingly more lucrative alternatives. I mention these events because
similar considerations and choices may
be facing many geoscience students and
young professionals today.
In light of these current challenges, I
want to offer a word of encouragement
and support to geoscience students and
young professionals. Stay the course!
Although job opportunities may be fewer
in some sectors for a while, in the long
term the outlook for geoscience jobs is
excellent, and a more fascinating and
rewarding field of study and career path
simply does not exist. Furthermore, the
importance of natural resources, natural hazards, and other geoscience fields
will only increase in the future, along
with the need for knowledge and skills
in locating, managing, and conserving
these resources and geologic features.
Society needs you. Your work is criti-
cal, and the benefits of working in the
geoscience fields are tremendous. It is
well worth the effort!
I also encourage AIPG members who
are farther along in their careers to offer
a helping hand to students and young
professionals through job networking,
mentoring, career planning, and other
supportive activities. Now is the time
when a helpful suggestion or encouraging word can go a long way with young
geoscientists. Perhaps connecting them
with a job opportunity in another area, or
suggesting an alternative geologic career
path they had not considered. Perhaps
helping to retain them in the field
of geosciences where they are greatly
needed. It certainly is in the best interest of AIPG and the geologic profession
to support our young geoscientists, and
it is extremely beneficial to the students
and young professionals.
In closing I would like to relate this
message to my recent visit to the joint
AIPG Florida/Georgia Section meeting
and field trip in conjunction with the
Southeastern Geological Society. What
a delightful group of people and what an
interesting two days of field trips! I was
especially impressed with the student
members in attendance, and I had the
distinct honor of presenting the very first
William J. Siok Graduate Scholarship
to Karen Vyverberg, SA-6287, from the
University of Florida. The excitement
and energy radiating from all of the
students I met was highly contagious,
and I came away from that meeting with
renewed invigoration for geology and
heightened confidence in our future geoscientists. What a treat to listen to the
students’ future plans and to realize that
the sky is the limit for these budding geoscientists. What a pleasure it also was to
listen to the more seasoned veterans and
to absorb their knowledge and perspective during the field trips and presentations. This exchange of experience and
energy is transformational for all parties
and is vital for the future of our science.
I urge all of our members to make connections with colleagues in your sections
and in your disciplines, whether you’re a
student just starting a geoscience degree
or a retiree with decades of experience.
You’ll be glad you did.
Invitation from
AIPG to Submit
Articles
You are invited to submit an
article, paper, or guest column
based upon your geological
experiences or activities to
the American Institute of
Professional Geologists to be
included in “The Professional
Geologist” (TPG) quarterly
journal. The article can address
a professional subject, be
technical in nature, or comment
on a state or national issue
affecting the profession of
geology.
Article submissions for TPG
should be 800 to 3200 words in
length (Word format). Photos,
figures, tables, etc. are always
welcome! Author instructions
are available on the AIPG
website at
www.aipg.org.
Please contact AIPG
headquarters if you have
any questions. AIPG
email is [email protected] or
phone (303) 412-6205.
28 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
answers to questions on page 27
Answers:
1) The answer is choice “c”, or “Order”. In the Linnean system of taxonomical classification, for the animal Kingdom, the
hierarchy is as follows:
• Kingdom•Phylum•Class •Order •Family •Genus•Species
2) The answer is choice “c” or “Carbon 14 to Nitrogen 14. The following table depicts the main radioactive dating techniques
and the related half-lives:
Parent element
Daughter element
Half-life in years
Rubidium 87
Strontium 87
4.88 x 1010
Uranium 238
Lead 206 and helium
4.47 x 109
Potassium 40
Argon 40 and calcium
1.25 x 109
Uranium 235
Lead 207 and helium
7.04 x 108
Carbon 14
Nitrogen 14
5.73 x 103
3) The answer is choice “c” or “paludal”.
Littoral environments equate to coastal, intertidal and beach zones.
Lacustrine environments relate to lakes and inland wetlands with deep-water/fresh-water habitats.
4) The answer is choice “c”, or “σ = [(Vp2 / Vs2) – 2] / [(2Vp2/ Vs2) – 2]”. The proof follows:
We are given:
Vp2 / Vs2 = (λ/μ) + 2 λ = (Eσ) / [(1+σ)(1-2σ)]
μ = E / [2(1+σ)]
(1)
(2)
(3)
To find the answer that we seek, we substitute (2) and (3) into (1) and solve for (σ):
Vp2 / Vs2 = {[(Eσ) / (1+σ)(1-2σ)] / [E / [2(1+σ)]} + 2
Vp2 / Vs2 = [2σ / (1 - 2σ)] + 2
(Vp2 / Vs2) – 2 = [2σ / (1 - 2σ)]
[(Vp2 / Vs2) (1 - 2σ)] – [(2)(1 - 2σ)] = 2σ
2σ = (Vp2 / Vs2) – [(2σ)(Vp2 / Vs2)] - 2 + 4σ
2σ - 4σ + (2σ)(Vp2/ Vs2) = [(Vp2 / Vs2) – 2]
[(2σ) (Vp2/ Vs2)] - 2σ = [(Vp2 / Vs2) – 2]
(2σ)[(Vp2/ Vs2) - 1] = [(Vp2 / Vs2) – 2]
2σ = [(Vp2 / Vs2) – 2] / [(Vp2/ Vs2) - 1] σ = [(Vp2 / Vs2) – 2] / 2[(Vp2/ Vs2) - 1] σ = [(Vp2 / Vs2) – 2] / [(2Vp2/ Vs2) - 2] (14)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
Equations (14) depicts the answer that we seek and coincides with our choice “c”. Thus, to emphasize, Poisson’s Ratio may
be expressed directly as a function of the ratio of P-wave velocity over shear-wave velocity!
5)
The answer is choice “b” or “σ = 0 to 0.50. The proof follows:
Refer to equation (2) in problem 4:
•
λ = (Eσ) /[ (1+σ)(1-2σ)]
(2)
If σ = 0, then (Eσ) / [(1+σ)(1-2σ)] = 0.
If σ = 0.50, then (Eσ) / [(1+σ)(1-2σ)] = ∞.
Thus, as long as σ is positive, its value lies between 0 and 0.50. For most rocks, Poisson’s Ratio (σ) typically ranges from
0.15 to 0.40. A value of Poisson’s Ratio of 0.25 may be commonly applied in first-approximation calculations.
www.aipg.org
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 29
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND PRACTICES - Column 154
Topical Index-Table of Contents to the Professional Ethics and
Practices Columns
A topically based Index-Table of Contents, “pe&p index.xls” cov­ering columns, articles,
and letters to the editor that have been referred to in the PE&P columns in Excel format is
on the AIPG web site in the Ethics section. This Index-Table of Contents is updated as each
issue of the TPG is published. You can use it to find those items addressing a particular area
of concern. Suggestions for improvements should be sent to David Abbott, [email protected]
Compiled by David M. Abbott, Jr., CPG-04570,
5055 Tamarac Street, Denver, CO 80238,
303-394-0321, fax 303-394-0543, [email protected]
Reflections on the 2015
Student TPG Issue
The annual student issue in the
January TPG always contains a variety
of articles of interest to students and
young professionals. Those of us with a
few years of experience can also learn
from these articles. Wayne Hamilton,
CPG-6833, provides a number of career
and life lessons he’s learned in “‘Pouring
my cup into yours’ or what to expect in
your career.” Jan Horbaczewski, CPG9369, provides an excellent outline on
“How to become a valued employee” that
could be subtitled “how to keep your job
when things get tough.” Keri Nutter,
CPG-11579, describes her transition
from college to becoming the head a
geotechnical engineering department,
an area she knew little about while in
college but has come to love in “Ten years
and a million lessons.” Kyle Johnson,
YP-106, also describes his transition
from college to jobs in Arizona and
Alaska and provides 5 important tips for
the process in “To Students and young
professionals.” Michael Orobona’s,
CPG-11099, “Realistic advice for the
new geologist” provides some interesting tips and describes some of the
differences between technical work
and management tasks, both of which
become parts of most geoscience careers.
William Hoyt, CPG-7015, and Michael
Urban, MEM-1910, provide an excellent
summary of “The value of professional
internships.” Jean Neubeck’s, CPG11438, “Advice for life from the flight
crew” is both fun and contains solid
advice for one’s career. My column 153
contains discussions of several short
suggestions like getting some business
cards while you’re in school, the deductibility of professional equipment, dues,
etc., the importance of professional flexibility, and the importance of field camp
as part of your basic geoscience training.
Stephanie Jarvis, YP-125, reflects on
her “Master’s Saga” and the various
lessons she learned during the process
in “Lessons learned.” Finally, Kristina
Pourtabib’s, SA-3410, “Writing essentials” contains important writing advice
regardless if you’re writing grant proposals or professional reports.
Report Ownership and
Client Confidentiality
A CPG called me about a report he
had written several years previously for
a company that is no longer in existence
and that company was not merged or
otherwise succeeded interest by another
company. He recently received a request
for a copy of that report from a third
party and wondered whether he could
provide the third party with a copy of the
report. The CPG noted that there was a
possibility, which he intended to check,
that the report had been made public,
possibly by being filed on the Canadian
SEDAR system. If the report had indeed
been made public, then there would not
be a problem with the CPG providing a
copy of the report to the requestor.
The issue of report ownership, including the data and opinions expressed
therein, was discussed extensively in
column 136 (Nov/Dec ′11). That column
pointed out that our professional reports
are ‘instruments of service’ and traditionally have remained the ownership
of the person who prepared them. There
is an important distinction between
an ‘instrument of service’ and a ‘work
product’ that we all should remember. A
‘work product’ is subject to much greater
legal liability for which it is only necessary to prove that there is some sort of
defect in the ‘product’ in order to win a
lawsuit. By contrast, for an ‘instrument
of service’ liability must be proven by
demonstrating professional negligence,
something much harder to prove. So professional reports remain the property of
the professional(s) who prepared them.
However, the client confidentiality provisions of Rules 3.2.1, 3.2.2, and 3.2.3 of
AIPG’s Code of Ethics all apply.
Rule 3.2.1—A Member shall not use,
directly or indirectly, any confidential
information obtained from or in the
course of performing services for an
employer or client in any way which is
adverse or detrimental to the interests
of the employer or client, except with the
prior consent of the employer or client or
when disclosure is required by law.
Rule 3.2.2—A Member who has made
an investigation for an employer or client shall not seek to profit economically
from the information gained without
permission from the employer or client,
unless it is clear that there can no longer
be a conflict of interest with the original
employer or client.
Rule 3.2.3—A Member shall not use
his or her employer’s or client’s resources
for private gain without the prior knowledge and consent of his or her employer
or client.
Returning to the initial question I
received, can a CPG provide a third party
with a copy of a report prepared for a
company that is no longer in existence?
When there is no succeeding company
(via merger, acquisition, etc.), as appears
to be the case here, then the confidentiality provisions of Rules 3.2.1, 3.2.2, and
3.2.3 do not apply. There is no adverse or
detrimental interest to a company that
no longer exists. Likewise there can no
longer be any conflicts of interests. Nor
does a client exist who can grant or deny
consent. Given these circumstances, it
may be permissible to provide the third
party with a copy of the report.
Diversity, Equality, and
Inclusion
Diversity, equality, and inclusion are
the topic of the moment for a number
of geoscience professional societies. The
30 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND PRACTICES - Column 154
SME Annual Meeting in Denver in
February included an afternoon session,
“Diversity: how diversity and inclusion
drives business results—discussions of
real world experience,” co-chaired by
Jessica Kogel, CPG-11224.
The February 2015 issue of The
AusIMM Bulletin contains several articles on diversity challenges. On the
issue of gender pay gap, Lynn Olssen,
Chair of the AusIMM Women In Mining
Network (WIMnet) says the results of
AusIMM’s remuneration survey are very
disappointing: “It is unacceptable that
the gender pay gap remains so wide.
There are increasing female participation rates and positive signs of a shift
to wages parity for graduate and earlycareer professionals. However, this has
not flowed through to senior roles, with
a major pay gap and low female representation at senior levels.” I expect the
same is true in the US. Other articles
address the benefits of diversity and
unconscious bias, such as an unconscious
belief by both men and women that
managerial roles are more masculine
than feminine. Another article points
out that while some companies tout
the number of indigenous truck drivers
employed, there is less effort given to
assisting indigenous people to receive
the training to join professional ranks.
In my last column, #153, I described
the 2015 Proposed AGI Guidelines for
Ethical Professional Conduct. One of the
items in the AGI Guideline is, “Encourage
and assist in the development of a
diverse and inclusive workforce.” The
lack of ethnic and gender diversity in the
geosciences has been a matter of concern
to various geoscience groups over the
years. My own observations over the
years indicate that increasing numbers
of women are entering the geosciences
and that ethnic minority geoscientists
are also increasing, although at a much
smaller rate.1 Nevertheless, much more
needs to be done both in terms of the
percentages of women and ethnic minorities who are geoscientists and in terms
of related issues such as gender pay
gaps and percentages in management
positions.
In an effort to pursue the goal of developing a diverse and inclusive workforce,
the Geological Society of London, which
is an AGI member, recently asked its
Fellows and Candidate Fellows to complete a short survey helping the GSL
1.
learn more about the diverse make-up of
its Fellows. The questions asked about
gender, gender at birth, disabilities, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religion
(in very broad categories). Knowing the
current situation provides a starting
point for determining whether efforts
to increase diversity and inclusiveness
are successful.
Should AIPG conduct a similar survey? If so, the one question I would ask
is age range in 5-year intervals. I would
expect that AIPG’s younger members
are more diverse than the older membership. A related metric would be years of
professional experience because experience is an element of pay. But expectations aren’t data.
Aside from collecting data that shows
changes in diversity and inclusiveness
over time, the tougher question is, how
can AIPG promote increasing diversity and inclusivity? Entry into the
geoscience profession starts with obtaining at least a bachelor’s or master’s
degree in geoscience. Increasing the
numbers of underrepresented groups
involves increasing the number of these
groups majoring in geoscience. How is
that accomplished? Certainly significant
numbers of the unrepresented groups
are attending college but apparently are
not interested in or drawn to geoscience.
I know that this question has been pondered by many people far more qualified
than I am. Do you have any suggestions?
In addition to addressing issues
around entry into the profession, what
problems exist once entry is gained? This
is where the issues such as gender pay
gap and advancement into management
ranks appear. The details of these issues
quickly become complicated. However,
the complicated nature of the issue is
not a justification for not addressing it.
Getting Paid by Clients
One of the periodic problems with
consulting is getting a client to pay your
invoices. I have had unpaid, or only partially paid, invoices over the 19 years I’ve
been a consultant and I expect most other
consultants have as well. What can you
do about it? I last addressed this issue
in column 57 (Aug ′00). Unfortunately,
non-payment is generally a commercial
dispute that is not readily addressed by
the AIPG Code of Ethics and generally
must be resolved through arbitration or
litigation.
I was recently contacted by an AIPG
member (member A) whose company had
a contract with another firm headed by
another AIPG member (member B) that
specified that member A’s firm was to bill
member B’s firm rather than the ultimate client for whom the work was done.
Subcontracting in this manner is not
an uncommon arrangement. However,
despite that member A’s firm have submitted timely invoices and subsequent
requests for payment, the only response
from member B’s firm has been that “the
check is in the mail”; it isn’t. Member A
also knows that another consulting firm
working for member B’s firm on the same
project was paid. This is evidence that
member B’s firm was paid by the client
and so member B’s firm should have the
money to pay member A’s firm.
In this case where an AIPG member,
member B, is responsible for paying
member A’s firm and has received payment from the client, there may be a
legitimate matter for inquiry pursuant
to AIPG’s Code of Ethics, specifically
Canons 3.0 and 4.0 and Sections 3.4,
4.1, and 4.2. These provisions deal with
performing duties diligently and in a
timely manner; respecting the rights,
interests, and contributions of professional colleagues; and being accurate,
truthful, and candid in all communications. Life happens and with it unpleasant and unforeseen events. When such
events happen, being accurate, truthful,
and candid in all communications is particularly important in your dealings with
colleagues and may permit some needed
flexibility. But to get this flexibility, you
have to be accurate, truthful, and candid
in all communications.
Whether successfully bringing a
Disciplinary Proceeding against member B would result in payment to member
A is unknown—legal action may still
be required. However, a Disciplinary
sanction could adversely affect member
B’s professional standing. Regardless of
whether an AIPG Disciplinary action
is warranted in such cases, failures to
pay subcontractors (or employees) will
result in the word of the non-payments
getting around and will adversely affect
the professional reputation of the nonpaying individual or firm.
In my view for the purpose of looking at ethnic minorities, I focus on US-born minorities rather than those born in other countries
who are now working in the US.
www.aipg.org
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 31
C.W. Fetter Endowed Geology
Research Fund Update
Christine F. Lilek, CPG-10195
[email protected]
The C.W. Fetter Endowed Geology
Research Fund was established in honor
of Dr. Charles W. “Bill” Fetter, Jr.
(Sayner, WI), who died on September
10, 2011 after a brief battle with cancer.
Bill spent his professional career at the
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, as a
Professor of Geology from 1971-1996,
including 16 years as department chairman. Bill was an internationally recognized expert in hydrogeology, working
on more than 200 national consulting
projects in groundwater supply and
contamination.
He is the award-winning author of
Applied Hydrogeology, the standard
textbook for university courses on
the subject, which has been in continuous publication for more than 30
years. He also authored Contaminant
Hydrogeology in 1993, which has undergone several newer editions since 1993.
Bill played a very important role in
forming the WI section of AIPG. He also
played a very important role in organizing the 2000 AIPG Annual Meeting by
attending practically all the organizational meetings over a three year period
and then served as treasurer for the
meeting!
Bill continues to support geology
students in Wisconsin through the
C.W. Fetter Endowed Research Fund
at the UW Oshkosh Department of
Geology. Since 2007, the UW Oshkosh
Photo Credit: http://aquadoc.typepad.com/
waterwired/2011/09/dr-cw-bill-fetter-jr.html
Department of Geology has provided an
annual competition for undergraduate
research grants to their undergraduate
geology majors.
Funds for this purpose are available
thanks to the C.W. Fetter Endowed
Research Fund, established in 2011,
through gifts from Dr. Fetter, emeritus
faculty members, alumni, current faculty members, and friends. Each year,
two to five students have been awarded
grants from the fund.
Past research topics have included:
“Geochemical Variations in Basalts of
the Poison Lake Chain, Lassen Volcanic
Center”, “Microbial Destruction of
Calcium Carbonate Gastropod Shells
During the Pleistocene,” “Using Oxygen
Isotopes to Characterize Mantle
Processes Beneath the Southern
Cascades,” “Volcanic Rocks of the
Lassen Peak Area in California,” and
“Volcanics of the Lake City Caldera in
Southwestern Colorado.”
More information about the C.W.
Fetter Endowed Research Fund and
how to donate to this worthy cause can
be found on the UW Oshkosh Geology
Department website at: http://www.
uwosh.edu/geology/about-the-program/scholarship-opportunities-1/thec-w-fetter-endowed-research-fund.
Attention
Student Chapters
How would you like
to attend the AIPG
Annual meeting in
Alaska???
The deadline for the
Student Chapter of the
Year award is
June 1, 2015.
Geologic Ethics & Professional Practices
is now available on CD
This CD is a collection of articles, columns, letters to the editor, and other material addressing
professional ethics and general issues of professional geologic practice that were printed in The
Professional Geologist. It includes an electronic version of the now out-of-print Geologic Ethics
and Professional Practices 1987-1997, AIPG Reprint Series #1. The intent of this CD is collection
of this material in a single place so that the issues and questions raised by the material may
be more conveniently studied. The intended ‘students’ of this CD include everyone interested
in the topic, from the new student of geology to professors emeritus, working geologists, retired
geologists, and those interested in the geologic profession.
AIPG members will be able to update their copy of this CD by regularly downloading the pe&p
index.xls file from the www.aipg.org under “Ethics” and by downloading the electronic version of
The Professional Geologist from the members only area of the AIPG website. The cost of the CD
is $25 for members, $35 for non-members, $15 for student members and $18 for non-member
students, plus shipping and handling. To order go to www.aipg.org.
32 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
Feedback to TPG
Feedback to TPG - Opinion of Shale Gas
Production and Seismic Activity in North Texas
Editor’s Note: In the 2014 Oct-Nov-Dec issue of TPG, AIPG
contributor Robert G. Font, CPG-03953, responded to the controversy of induced seismicity in north Texas and commented
that further objective scientific investigation is needed to evaluate the relationship of seismicity to shale gas production. Dr.
Font opined that we have the technology to responsibly develop
our energy resources and that geologists should contribute their
knowledge to accomplish safe waste disposal practices.
Another AIPG geologist responded to Dr. Font’s piece and submitted comments, which we have summarized below. Although
atypical, the responding geologist wishes to remain anonymous
due to his/her employment in the public sector, with responsibilities related to the petroleum and natural gas sectors. This
CPG also indentifies water resources as an area of expertise, in
addition to their employment that is directly related to shale
gas development. The responding geologist presents a different
perspective on source rock exploitation itself and operational
practices.
TPG welcomes readers’ comments and opinions. In this case,
the anonymous contributor initially did not wish his/her comments to be printed, but we thank both this geologist and Robert
Font for graciously agreeing that there is value and interest in
sharing our observations and opinions. After all, productive
discussion (and debate) demonstrates the multi-dimensional
nature of earth science and ultimately increases the value that
geologists contribute to society.
Understanding Source Rock Exploitation and Induced
Seismicity: An anonymous geologist offers the following points
for consideration regarding hydraulic fracturing and source
rock exploitation:
1. Source rock exploitation is not economical, even at $100/
bbl from the upstream side. Crashing oil and gas prices will
clarify this concept. The economics are extremely tight (tighter
than the source rocks) and are best demonstrated from the
downstream side. The simple economics of rapid decline rates
and expensive drilling/completion costs dictate that sufficient
profit must be realized on the downstream side to justify the
upstream investment. Consequently, risky and complicated
economics render the notion of “energy independence” to be
elusive.
2. Hydraulic fracturing is not all it is “cracked-up to be.”
Whereas the recovery efficiency of gas-phase source rocks can
be respectable, quite the opposite applies to liquid-phase source
rocks where hydraulic fracturing has a dismal recovery record
of 1- 2% of in-place oil. Enhanced recovery is not an option,
because each lateral is isolated by the effects of the fracturing
job itself, which creates a permeability-barrier front of migrated
organic carbon and sludge. In other words, the free (adsorbed)
gas is the reservoir energy and once that is depleted, “it’s over.”
The average economic life of a lateral (gas or oil) is three years.
3. The old adage of “haste makes waste” holds for source
rock plays. A myriad of operational challenges has been created
by the frantic rush of well drilling/completion to maintain cash
flow in the face of rapid production decline-rates, which easily
outpace drilling/completion rates. With unlimited horsepower
on a pad, operators can drill (jet) at 200-500 feet per hour.
This rate of penetration surpasses the effectiveness of any
mud system to seal porous formations. Cement seals the pipe,
but not a porous formation. Only a good bentonite mud system
can effectively seal a porous formation, which could contain
www.aipg.org
protected groundwater, saltwater, and/or hydrocarbons. The
Texas Eagle Ford play has experienced some spectacular
(post-completion, behind cemented pipe) blowouts from shallow
gas zones, disposal zones, and fracture zones connecting deep
geopressured-freshwater. Such problems can be minimized
by drilling slower and incorporating careful drilling practices.
4. Air-drilling is just as problematic as jetting. Increased
stray gas issues in protected groundwater can be attributed
to both drilling techniques. The delay in the appearance of
impacted groundwater could take years. “Baseline” is a misnomer because the pre-drilling conditions in groundwater are
dynamic. Nonetheless, pre-drilling conditions should be documented and monitored for any dynamics that could be associated with O&G operations. Negative consequences can occur
from pushing the technology to speed the drilling/completion
time and maintain cash flow.
5. Concern about fracturing fluids escaping beyond the target
zone is highly overrated. The fracturing fluid will be produced
as flow-back or bonded (adsorbed) to the new fracture surface
of the created reservoir. The risk of break-through is from
inadequate operations, such as poor cementing, casing/tubular
failure, and compromised old well-bores.
6. Flow-back consisting of fracturing fluid is a sign of a
rushed job. Good hydraulic fracturing should produce no flowback water. The frac-water should be allowed to absorb (bond)
to the fresh fracture surface. If the fractured zone is not allowed
to “soak” for several weeks, the adsorbed (free) hydrocarbon will
bond to the new surface and become absorbed and unrecoverable. This represents lost producible hydrocarbon and in the
case of gas, it is lost reservoir energy.
7. Pore pressure is not the issue regarding seismicity in
the Fort Worth Basin. The disposal zone is the Ellenberger
Limestone, a huge karst, saltwater-bearing formation. None of
the disposal wells indicate pressure buildup. SMU researchers
have done an excellent job in collecting seismic data, including
micro-seismic events. Their work should be published soon,
although research likely will continue to focus on the porepressure hypothesis, despite conflicting data. All the seismic
events are associated with deep basement faults, which are
located well below the Ellenberger. It is difficult to conceive
that an impervious, crystalline basement is affected by disposal
into the Ellenberger. If pore pressure from the Ellenberger is
accountable for basement seismicity, it has had a very long
geologic history (preceding present-day disposal operations) to
have realized an impact.
Note: The above represent the responding geologist’s opinions
only, and do not reflect those of any government agency, or
private or public organization.
Dr. Font appreciates the responder’s comments and reiterates his following points, as previously published:
1. The combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic
fracturing has dramatically increased our domestic recoverable reserves which are enormously critical to our country’s
energy needs.
2. In the north Texas area, there is an apparent strong correlation between increased hydraulic fracturing activity and
the timing and occurrence of local seismic events that needs
to be fully studied and addressed with scientific impartiality
and without presuppositions.
3. Fulfilling our responsibility to public safety and satisfying our energy needs are both essential and certainly not
incompatible.
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 33
Hydrothink
Not Quite!
William J. Stone, MEM-2164
[email protected]
Rainfall/runoff relationships are important in arid regions.
What are the flash-flood hazards? How large should that culvert be? What is the water budget? Engineers have developed
procedures for determining runoff in different scenarios. These
involve multiple tables and graphs or curves for theoretical
cases. Most of these methods were developed under humid
conditions, as encountered in the eastern United States.
I wanted to study actual rainfall/runoff events, especially
ones unlikely to be covered by these traditional schemes: those
in the arid Southwest. To do this I instrumented two watersheds in southern New Mexico in cooperation with the U.S.
Geological Survey. This included a Class A weather station
as well as several paired stream and rain gages (the usual
spelling in hydrology).
The project yielded useful results. The local engineers
were tickled to get some real data for local conditions. They
never believed that the theoretical curves in their handbooks
really applied to their arid setting. The study showed that the
cookbook methods overestimated runoff. It had never been
challenged because no one ever complains if the dam is too
high or the culvert too big. Well, maybe the accountant would.
Another aspect of that project deserves a mention. Ever get
the feeling that when you tell people about your work, they
don’t really get it? To keep the evaporation pans associated
with the Class A station topped off in that dry environment,
I toted a lot of water. This involved filling numerous 5-gallon
cans in my driveway with the garden hose on the nights before
trips to the field. I suppose seeing someone fill water cans in
the desert seemed a bit ominous, so one evening my neighbor
asked what I was doing. Was the water going to be shut off or
something? Being enthusiastic about my project, I explained in
some detail that I was measuring various parts of the hydrologic cycle on the other side of the mountains, including flow
in the dry arroyos. When I had finished, he was quiet for a
moment and then said, “It’s too bad it’s so arid here that you
have to take your own water to measure stream flow.” And
he sounded serious!
I never figured out the best approach to getting stream flow
with a Gerry can. Maybe that’s why I’ve worked mainly with
ground water. TIPS: Cookbook methods should cover all climates. Also, no matter how carefully you explain your project,
some people will never really understand what you’re doing.
Dr. Stone has more than 30 years of experience in hydroscience and is the author of numerous professional papers
as well as the book, Hydrogeology In Practice – a Guide to
Characterizing Ground-Water Systems (Prentice Hall). Feel
free to argue or agree with him at [email protected].
AIPG Membership Totals
CPG / Active
As of
As of
4/1/14
5/5/2015
3,331
3,191
CPG / Non-Practicing
370
409
Prof. Member
880
920
35
49
Associate Member
Young Professional
Student Adjunct
Corporate Member
Totals
60
77
2,458
2,908
1
1
7,034
7,554
New Applicants and Members can now
be found on the AIPG website at http://aipg.
org/membership/newappsmems.html
Section News can now be found on the
AIPG website at http://aipg.org/sections/
sectionnews.html
For those who need only an occasional
search of the GeoRef database, it is easy to
request a GeoRef custom search. A member
of the GeoRef staff will conduct the search
according to your specifications. The search
results will be delivered by email.
To order a Custom Search, contact Jim
Mehl at [email protected], (703) 379-2480
ext 236 or Monika Long at [email protected].
The cost of a custom search is $225.00
plus $.45 per reference.
Please mention AIPG when ordering
your custom search.
34 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
a message from liberty mutual
Springtime Outdoor
Safety and Maintenance
Tips
Before we can fully enjoy spring time,
we may first need to clean up some of
the damage caused by winter. You can
prepare for the upcoming season with
these spring home maintenance tips.
• Lawn – Once the danger of frost has
passed, rake your grass and give it the
first fertilization of the season. It will
really spruce up your landscape.
• Flowers – If last year’s flowers are
long gone, plant early spring annuals.
Or if your flower bed contains perennials, add mulch and fertilizer, which
will encourage the plants to come back
to life.
• Trees – Signs that trees require pruning include crossing, dead, or decayed
branches or limbs. Perform simple
pruning cuts yourself, but leave climbing trees and more extensive cutting
to a certified arborist.
• Siding and Roofing – Check your siding and roofing for loose materials,
chipped paint, and rot. Look for areas
where caulking has weathered away,
Famed Geologist Dick
Jones Dies at 67
For some people, the simplest measure of a meaningful life is their work.
This is true for Richard W. Jones, retired
coal geologist and editor of the Wyoming
State Geological Survey (WSGS), who
died at the age of 67.
Dick’s contributions to the geologic
knowledge of Wyoming represent his
passion for his work. He was thorough
in his research, always striving for
excellence in his technical writing, and
worked countless hours on his geologic
maps to make sure they were perfect
prior to production.
“Dick tended to be a perfectionist
when it came to editing,” says Alan
VerPloeg, head of Energy and Minerals
at the WSGS. “I worked with Dick
throughout his career at the Survey,
and I was always impressed by his
knowledge of Wyoming geology and with
his coal research,” VerPloeg says. “Dick
edited many of my reports and maps,
and I always knew they were in great
www.aipg.org
such as around the chimney. Call a
roofing expert when necessary.
• Deep Cracks – Cracks in sidewalks
and driveways can pose tripping hazards. Seal the cracks with concrete or
mortar.
• Standing Water – Drain any areas
where water collects and attracts
mosquitoes or causes a backup.
• Outdoor Home Lighting – If you
discover lighting that is not working despite changing light bulbs and
checking the fuse box, you may have
a short in the line caused by moisture,
which will require the expertise of an
electrician.
Complete these pre-spring home and
lawn maintenance tasks, and your house
will be as ready as you are for the pleasant days ahead.
To learn more about Liberty Mutual
Auto and Home Insurance, or get a free,
no-obligation quote, call 1-800-981-2372
or visit libertymutual.com/AIPG.
Coverage underwritten and provided
by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
and its affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street,
Boston, MA 02116. Reprinted with permission from Liberty Mutual. ©2014
Liberty Mutual Insurance.
shape with no errors when they went to
the printer.”
Leaving his mark, Dick’s contributions to geology are represented in the
legacy of his work at the WSGS. He
joined the agency in 1982, originally
as coal geologist. Coincidentally, Dick’s
interest in coal had started in Laramie
10 years earlier. While he was a UW student he worked part-time for WSGS on
Wyoming geology and coal deposits. As
WSGS coal geologist, he was responsible
for conducting geologic investigations
on the state’s coal resources as well
as mapping the geology and tracking
coal production. Former colleague, Nick
Jones remembers Dick for his passion
for Wyoming geology and his enthusiasm
to share his knowledge and experience
with others.
“It was a pleasure to work with and
learn from Dick,” says Jones, also a former coal geologist of the WSGS, who now
works for UW’s Enhanced Oil Recovery
Institute. “He had a unique ability to
engage and encourage the people he
knew and worked with. He truly was
Free Resume
Posting
Post and View
Resumes for
Free on the
AIPG National
Website
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Listings for Free
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Click on Jobs.
an incredible mentor for many aspiring
geologists,” says Jones.
In 1992, Dick became editor and head
of WSGS publications. After years of
having his work, as a geologist, “hacked
to pieces by editors,” he said, he enjoyed
the challenge of working from the “editor’s point of view.” Dick said the biggest
challenge for an editor is editing highly
technical subjects and writing them so
the non-geologist can understand them.
During his career, Dick authored
more than 140 geology papers, articles,
reports, and maps. He also gave numerous presentations, lectures, and workshops on Wyoming coal and geology.
Dick graduated from Northwest
College with a degree in pre-engineering
and from the University of Wyoming
with a degree in geology in 1972. Prior
to the WSGS, he worked for the U.S.
Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau
of Land Management.
VerPloeg says, “I valued Dick as a
friend and colleague, and he was a great
asset to the Survey.”
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 35
36 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
MEMBERS IN The news
LBG Names Stacy Stieber
an Associate
SHELTON, CT – February 10, 2015
-- Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc.
(LBG), a professional groundwater and
environmental engineering services
firm, has named Stacy Stieber, CPG11696, an Associate.
Based in Shelton, CT, Ms. Stieber’s
work experience involves project
management and field operations for
groundwater and surface-water supply development, including performing
hydrogeologic feasibility assessments,
water budget analyses, and well siting
studies; providing oversight of production well and monitoring well drilling
and construction; and conducting longterm pumping test and aquifer tests.
She has also participated in numerous
soil and groundwater contamination
investigations. Ms. Stieber received B.A.
degrees in environmental science and
biology from Boston University and is
a Certified Professional Geologist recognized by the American Institute of
Professional Geologists.
Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc.
was the first consulting firm in the
United States to specialize in groundwater geology. For over half a century,
LBG has been a recognized leader in
the development and management of
groundwater resources as well as environmental and remedial engineering.
Headquartered in Shelton, CT, LBG has
23 regional offices throughout the U.S.
Dr. P. Patrick Leahy
of The American
Geosciences Institute
Awarded Prestigious Pick
& Gavel Award
Alexandria, VA—The Association of
American State Geologists (AASG) has
recognized the Executive Director of the
American Geosciences Institute, Dr. P.
Patrick Leahy, CPG-10507, with its
www.aipg.org
prestigious Pick and Gavel Award. This
award was initiated by AASG in 1999 to
recognize distinguished friends of geology who have made major contributions
to advancing or facilitating the role that
geoscience plays in our society.
“Many of the complex geoscience
issues we face today are of significant
interest to the public.” Leahy said,
“Indeed, earth-science problems often
involve serious conflict, have costly and
long-term consequences, require timely
action on the part of a policy maker, and
reveal significant gaps in our knowledge
and understanding.”
Following his Bachelor’s and Master’s
degrees at Boston College, and a Ph.D.
from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
he had a distinguished career at the
U.S. Geological Survey with assignments including Chief of the National
Water-Quality Assessment Program,
Chief Geologist of the Geology Division,
Associate Director for Geology and
as acting Director. Leahy joined the
American Geosciences Institute in 2007
as its Executive Director, and continued
work on programs like Earth Science
Week, facilitating coverage of Federallevel geoscience legislation with the
Geoscience Policy Program, and monitoring the geoscience workforce. The recently launched Center for Geoscience and
Society will continue to bridge gaps that
exist between geoscientists, educators,
policy makers and the general public. He
also serves as a U.S. Commissioner to the
United Nations Educational, Scientific,
Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Dr. Jonathan Arthur, MEM-0982,
Florida State Geologist, and President of
AASG had this to say of Leahy, “[Leahy]
is a friend and vital, dynamic part of the
geoscience community, and he embodies
its spirit. Awareness of geosciences in
this nation has been heightened significantly through effective education and
communication guided by his wisdom
and instilled by his enthusiasm and
creativity.”
Recent recipients of Pick and Gavel
awards include Congressman Ken
Calvert in 2014, Congresswoman Betty
McCollum in 2013, Senator Dianne
Feinstein and Congressman Jim Moran
in 2012. Leahy was honored with a dinner at the Cosmos Club in Washington
D.C. on the evening of Tuesday March,
10th, 2015.
The American Geosciences Institute
is a nonprofit federation of geoscientific
and professional associations that rep-
resents more than 250,000 geologists,
geophysicists and other earth scientists.
Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a
voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to
increase public awareness of the vital role
the geosciences play in society’s use of
resources, resiliency to natural hazards,
and interaction with the environment.
LETTERs TO THE EDITOR
Dear President Sawyer:
Thanks for the note commemorating 50 years of membership in AIPG.
I have always valued my membership
from day one.
Will Classen, Jr,
CPG 524
Dear AIPG Headquarters:
Just want to acknowledge receipt of my
Charter/Emeritus member lapel pin and
to thank you very much. I will certainly
enjoy wearing it with an abundance of
pride!
Glen Faulkner.
CPG-635
Dear AIPG Headquarters:
I thank you for the momentos of AIPG
recently mailed to me! At Age 88, I have
decided to shut down my business to
more fully enjoy living at the retirement
center.
Ruth and I enjoyed the meeting in
nearby Broomfield.
Keep up the good work!
Bob Weimer,
CPG-98
Do you need an idea
for a section talk, field
trip, meeting?
Have you read the AIPG
section newsletters on
the AIPG website?
•Job Hunting Workshop-California
•Field Demonstration Day-Wisconsin
•Outreach at Dinosaur Ridge’s Girl
Scout Day-Colorado
•Geothermal HVAC Principles
and Keys to Successful ProjectsMinnesota
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 37
AIPG section activities
AIPG members attended the SE GSA section meeting in Tennessee. AIPG
Tennessee section volunteered at the AIPG booth. From left to right, Nicole
Ritchie, SA-5713, Elizabeth Gant, SA-5709, Vanessa Bateman, CPG-11016.
Brandy Barnes, SA-5473, and Ron Wallace, CPG-08153. Brandy is the
President of the Middle Tennessee State University Chapter.
Volunteers work the AIPG Booth at the SE GSA section
meeting in Tennessee.
UC Davis Student Chapter-We had a great meeting on March 5, 2015- about interviewing, networking, finding a mentor, public
introductions at technical meetings, small talk, etc. The students were quite interested. Steve Baker did a great job leading the
meeting. Photos compliments of Jim Jacobs, CPG-7760, California Section President.
38 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
in memory
Lynn L. Birdwell
CPG-07419
Member Since 1987
November 25, 2014
Murfreesboro,
Tennessee
Robert Blair, CPG-10779, passed
away on February 26, 2015, while Nordic
skiing. He was 71 years old. Robert (Rob)
William Blair, Jr. was born in Bossier
City, LA, on November 28, 1943, to
parents, Robert and Margaret MacLeod
Blair. He received his BS degree in geology and a single-engine plane pilot’s
license at the University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque, NM. He married Patricia
(Pat) E. Roberts on June 11, 1966, in Los
Alamos, NM. After serving two years
in the US Navy at Great Lakes, IL, he
worked with Petro-Nuclear and the US
Geological Survey in WY and CO. In
1968 and 1969, Rob and Pat had two
children, Kurt and Katrina. In 1975,
he received his PhD in geology from
the Colorado School of Mines, Golden,
CO. For 28 years he taught in the geology department at Fort Lewis College,
Durango, CO.
He has over 50 publications including 5 books, 22 peer reviewed papers,
2 CD ROMS’s and multiple abstracts.
These include: “Geomorphology from
Space-A Global Overview of Regional
Landforms”; “The Western San Juan
Mountains, Colorado: A Guide to the
Geology, Ecology and Human History
Along the Skyway”; “The Eastern San
Juan Mountains: Their Geology, Ecology
and Human History”; “Development
of Natural Sandstone Arches in
Southeastern Utah”; and “Moraine and
Valley Wall Collapse Due to Rapid
Deglaciation in Mount Cook National
Park, New Zealand”.
In 1998, he initiated the formation
of Mountain Studies Institute, which
was incorporated in 2002 as a scientific
research/educational nonprofit organization. He enjoyed mountaineering in
numerous areas of the world (all seven
continents), swimming (head of the Great
Lakes Naval Training swim team), running (several marathons and traversing
the Grand Canyon), and Nordic skiing
(American Birkebeiner), photography
(repeat photography), chess, horseshoes
and especially internationally showcasing mountains as a natural open-air
classroom and laboratory.
www.aipg.org
INSURANCE
PROGRAMS
Available to
Robert W. Blair, Jr.
CPG-10779
Member Since 2003
February 26, 2015
Durango, Colorado
William C. Edmund
CPG-09757
Member Since 1996
August 19, 2014
Houston, Texas
Graham R. Ford
CPG-00933
Member Since 1965
April 2015
Minneapolis,
Minnesota
Brian Gavin
CPG-07849
Member Since 1990
October 29, 2014
Spokane, Washington
Scott B. McDaniel
CPG-06783
Member Since 1985
June 11, 2014
Topeka, Kansas
AIPG MEMBERS
GeoCare Benefits Program
For information:
Life, Dental, Disability,
Supplemental Insurance, and
Cancer Expense
GeoCare Benefits
Insurance Plan
http://www.geocarebenefits.com/
Phone: 800-337-3140 or
805-566-9191
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Auto and Home Insurance
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aipg
Phone: 1-800-524-9400
Please mention client
#111397 when you contact
Liberty Mutual.
The Wright Group
Professional Liability Insurance
General Liability Insurance
http://www.thewrightgroupinc.com
Phone: 303-863-7788
Financial Services
The Consulting Group at
RBC Wealth Management
David Rhode, Senior
Investment Management
Specialist/Financial Advisor
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[email protected]
Phone: 1-800-365-3246
Fax: 303-488-3636
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 39
Young Professional’s View
In the Field
Stephanie Jarvis, YP-0125,
[email protected]
Recently, David Abbott, CPG-4570,
sent Kristina Pourtabib, SA-3410, and I
an email expressing concern with something he had heard at a recent meeting:
many current geology students do not
like and/or are not comfortable doing
fieldwork. He asked us for thoughts on
this “problem” and suggested it might
make a good column topic for one or all
of us. Since I was in need of a topic, I
decided to take the first stab.
One of the first things I thought of is
the sense of outcast I’ve heard expressed
by several people who are in the geosciences because they do not identify with
the boot-rocking, flannel-wearing, rugged outdoors (wo)man image so often
embraced by the geoscience community.
They love the science and have plenty
to contribute, but their comfort zone
is the lab or in front of the computer
running complex models. Since many
of us are in the field because of the
potential for remote fieldwork or time
spent outside, this is a little hard to
accept. Definitely, lab work requires
samples to be collected, and models need
to be based on good field observations,
sample collection, and groundtruthed.
I think we’d all agree that no good
geoscience is accomplished separate
from good fieldwork. However, sample
collection takes a lot of resources and,
often, more data is collected than can
be processed and analyzed within the
scope of a single project. This is evident
in the overabundance of dust-collecting
samples in any geoscience department
where research is being performed. I
was extremely fortunate to attend an
undergraduate institution that valued
research and to be in a department that
made sure students got plenty of field
experience, both in the context of classes
and for the mandatory senior thesis.
Then, as a Masters student, I realized
that having a project that required (or
allowed for, depending on your perspec-
tive) fieldwork was a coveted privilege.
Many students in my department were
working with samples collected on a
cruise they weren’t able to go on, were
working with models using data others
had collected, or were looking at samples
from Mars (obviously, no fieldwork there
unless you’re a robot). The truth is that,
while fieldwork is extremely important,
in the context of research often multiple
people are working on a project and it
is not logistically feasible or sensible
for everybody to be involved in the field
efforts. It takes people willing to do the
lab work or write the code for the models
with data they didn’t physically collect.
Those people are still “geoscientists.” For
the respondents to the 2014 AGI Exit
Survey, summarized by Wilson (2014),
less than 65% of students reporting
research experiences used field methods
in their research. For graduate students,
the use of field methods in research
was similar or greater than the use of
other methods. For undergraduates, lab
methods were used slightly more than
field methods. When comparing research
stories of older generations of geologists,
I have gotten the sense that the fieldwork aspect of the science has changed
over the years. For the most part, the
thought of weeks at a time spent in the
field mapping is something that today’s
students could only dream of. If they are
in to that sort of thing, that is.
Related to the above point, it does the
profession no good to make students who
aren’t comfortable with the great outdoors feel unwelcomed. Most students
don’t go into college planning on majoring in geology—only 25% of Bachelors
graduates that responded to the AGI
2014 Exit Survey had decided on geology as a major before beginning college.
For these students, a lack of interest in
fieldwork may be related to the fact that
it’s completely foreign territory for them.
In our discussions about this topic, David
sent me a copy of Nancy Price’s “Field
Safety-Revisited” column from the May/
June 2008 issue, where she touches on
this point well: “If you grow up in a big
city, like New York City, you have no reason to know outdoor survival techniques.
You will learn how to use the subway and
where not to go at night, but you probably
won’t need to know how to keep warm in
sub-freezing temperatures or that during the monsoon season flash floods are a
possible hazard in the arid canyon lands
of the west. Last time I checked, having
outdoor experience isn’t a prerequisite
for becoming a geologist. It is reasonable to expect students to learn survival
skills over their career as a student,
but we cannot assume that people come
equipped with the knowledge of things
that the more experienced outdoorsman
thinks is common sense.” In other words,
the field of geology should be wide open
to anybody. Maybe the sense that outdoor experience is required deters some
students from field-oriented ventures.
My second thought when responding
to David’s email was about gender-related barriers to fieldwork. From a female
perspective, there are a lot of reasons to
be weary of fieldwork, particularly if you
aren’t necessarily one for the outdoors.
One of the most basic of these barriers
struck me by surprise when I first heard
discussions about it, though in hindsight
it shouldn’t have: relieving yourself outside. For me, who was going in the woods
as soon as I could walk, it took me a little
bit to wrap my head around why this
would be a barrier. Then I read about
women dehydrating themselves because
they were so uncomfortable with the
thought of relieving themselves around
a bunch of guys or didn’t always have
adequate cover (an issue I have definitely come to appreciate doing fieldwork
on the Front Range!). Folks, when the
prospect of fieldwork involves the stress
of bursting your bladder along with the
40 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
Young Professional’s View
miserableness of dehydration, it’s not
going to be too appealing. This topic lead
to a great discussion on ESWN (Earth
Science for Women Network—ladies, an
amazing resource!) about urine funnels.
For fieldwork, they just make sense. I
had definitely heard of these and was
aware of their value for avoiding hypothermia in extremely cold conditions, but
had never considered them for fieldwork
otherwise. I intend to check into this
device for myself. There are other logistical issues for women in the field, such as
biological cycles and challenges to new
mothers—issues that make understanding coworkers and networks like ESWN
invaluable for female geologists.
Other gender-related field issues are
not so benign. Safety is the one likely
to come to most readers’ minds. While
definitely not a female-specific issue,
it seems to weigh heavier on women’s
minds than men’s. Whether it is because
there are more risks for females or
because we as women have that fear
instilled in us at an early age, it definitely
adds another level of stress. This is something I’ve become keenly aware of in my
current position—we often do “low-risk”
(urban, visible, not enough work to warrant two people) fieldwork solo, and I find
myself always looking over my shoulder.
While I know full well the statistics for
our company give me no more reason to
worry than my male co-workers (the only
issue we have ever had was with a male),
I feel like a target when I’m by myself.
Nancy’s column addresses this topic very
well, in the context of one of many horror
stories I heard as a student.
A gender-related fieldwork issue that
has been gaining a lot of attention lately
is sexual harassment and assault. While
not necessarily a female-specific issue,
it definitely has a negative impact on
more women than men. Again, even for
those of us fortunate enough to have
thus far not encountered sexual harassment in our field experiences (the closest
I’ve come is being called “Mom” at field
camp—I did not appreciate it, but in no
way felt threatened by it), the horror
stories remind us that it is an everpresent possibility. A recent study on
sexual harassment and assault in during
fieldwork (Clancy et al., 2014) has taken
a first step to putting numbers to these
stories. While an admittedly small and
biased sample size (data was collected
via a survey, and women were overrepresented in the respondent pool compared
to the gender ratio of field-based sciences), the numbers are discouraging.
www.aipg.org
72.4% of respondents “reported that
they had directly observed or been told
about the occurrence of other field site
researchers and/or colleagues making
inappropriate or sexual remarks at their
most recent or most notable field site.”
64% had personally experienced sexual
harassment, with women 3.5 times more
likely than men to have had this experience, and 20% had personally experienced sexual assault. Perpetrators of
harassment towards women were more
likely to be superiors, while harassment towards men was more likely to
come from peers. Common knowledge
and plenty of research point to the
long-lasting devastating effects this can
have on victims, well explained by Karen
James in her article “What I learned
from #ripplesofdoubt”, a hash tag she
created in response to revelations of
sexual harassment in the science writing
community.
I am unaware of any studies drawing
direct connections between the issues
I’ve discussed (a broadening definition
of what it means to be a “geoscientist”,
gender-related discomfort, and physical
dangers) to the apparent decline in interest and comfort of students towards fieldwork. The 2014 AGI Exit Survey results
do indicate less interest in field camp
among female students than males, but
there are a lot of reasons field camp isn’t
ideal for some students (money, family
obligations, etc.). I am also not aware of
any data showing this trend of declining
interest, and the most relevant I have
found thus far might be indicative of the
opposite: field camp attendance has been
increasing (AGI Geoscience Current No.
82). If you have any insight or are aware
of data pertaining to this issue, please
let us know!
References:
American Geosciences Institute (AGI).
2013. Field Camp Attendance
Continues to Steadily Increase,
Geoscience Current No. 82.
December 6.
Clancy, K.B.H, Nelson, R.G., Rutherford,
J.N., and Hinde, K. 2014. Survey of
Academic Field Experiences (SAFE):
Trainees Report Harassment and
Assault. PLOS ONE. Vol. 9, Issue 7.
James, Karen. 2013. “What I learned
from #ripplesofdoubt.” November
13. Available at: https://chroniclevitae.com/news/143-what-ilearned-from-ripplesofdoubt.
Wilson, Carolyn, American Geosciences
Institute. 2014. Status of Recent
Geoscience Graduates. Available
at http://www.americangeosciences.org/sites/default/files/
cwilson/ExitSurvey_101614_
MedResWithLinks_0.pdf.
**Attention Students**
Are you going to grad school?
Have you graduated?
Please notify AIPG Headquarters
so we can keep your contact information updated.
[email protected]
Coming in the next
issue of TPG...
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Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 41
student’s voice
Studying Perfection
Kristina Pourtabib, SA-3410
[email protected]
Just this past weekend I was out
camping and the conversation around
the campfire turned into a contest of
who could recite the geologic time scale
the fastest which is nothing out of the
ordinary when you’re with a group of
geologists, and for the life of me I could
not seem to remember. I tried to think
back to the catchy phrases I made up to
help me memorize the order of the periods and epochs but much to my dismay
I couldn’t even think of the name recognition pattern that I used. This then
started to get me to think about the way I
studied for many of my tests and quizzes
during my undergrad, how many people
still study today, and how studying by
way of memorization is detrimental to
long-term information retention.
Admit it, we’ve all done it, it’s the night
before a big exam and you’ve waited until
the very last minute to start studying. As
much as you try and tell yourself that it
will be okay, you’re scrambling to recall
all of the information covered in lecture
since the previous exam, so naturally,
you condense down your notes as much
as humanly possible and come up with
a quick short cut to memorize the main
points. Although seemingly effective at
the time, the minute the exam is over,
all of that crammed information escapes
from our short-term memory and out into
nothingness, never to be recalled again.
Even though this may seem a bit over
the top, there is no denying the fact that
studying is most effective when you learn
the information slowly over the course
of many days leading up to the exam,
rather than the night before. For some,
the study technique of cramming has not
shown any negative effects yet, but for
others, like myself, I’m slowly starting to
regret some of my nights of cramming.
For the most part, the gaps in my geologic
knowledge have not hindered my progress, but I know that in the future I will
have to revisit some of the introductory
concepts that never quite made it over
to my long-term memory.
Overall, when you’re looking to retain
information, the material that you find
the most interesting throughout your
studies in geology, and any other discipline for that matter, will be the
material that you retain. Looking back,
the coursework that I’ve retained the
most information from is Mineralogy
and Optical Mineralogy. This is directly
related to the fact that these were my
favorite courses taken as a geology
major, so I spent the most time studying this material and have revisited
concepts from this material more than
any other course. When you get into a
more focused area of study, such as in
graduate school, the courses that you’ve
devoted the most time to in the past
will be the material that you continue
to develop, while the material that you
didn’t feel as passionate about will show
itself less often. The bottom line is that
Editor’s column continued from page 26.
and professionals we are expected to take risks and push the boundaries of our
profession. We are considered professionals because we have the training and
experience to make decisions for which there is no known correct answer… We
want the same recognition to make professional judgments on projects and take
on the associated risks that professional engineers currently have. We should
be wary of changes in our profession that remove such risk. Without risk there
is no need for professionals making decisions. …Look-up-tables and other risk
avoidance techniques do play a needed and valuable role… but they should be
used conscientiously and where appropriate.”
I echo Guy’s parting words, “I encourage my fellow geologists to look at our
professional lives and welcome some risk into it. Make a habit of pushing ourselves and taking professional risks. Risk can bring life and value to your job
both professionally and personally.” Embrace your professional status and your
duty to professional responsibility. Amen, Guy.
to be a good geologist one needs to be
well rounded, and in order to be wellrounded one has to retain information
from all of the areas of study in geology
(from structure, to sedimentology). The
study of geology is unique in that it takes
information gathered from a variety of
different disciplines/sub-disciplines and
combines that information in order to
solve a single problem. It is important to
always think outside the box in geology
and to pull concepts from other areas to
find unique solutions to problems. When
that knowledge has fallen to the wayside
due to the lack of time spent committing
essential fundamentals into memory,
then solutions might never be found. In
the end, effective studying takes time;
rarely can one retain information with
so little preparation. Long-term study
plans are the key to successful comprehension.
Should I Become a CPG?
Have a you been thinking
about upgrading your membership to CPG? If the answer is
yes, What are your waiting for?
To find out if you have the qualifications go to Article 2.3.1 of the
AIPG Bylaws. The AIPG Bylaws
can be found on the AIPG website
or the directory.
The CPG application can be
found on the website under
‘Membership’. Just follow the
instructions. The basic paperwork includes the application,
application fee, transcripts, geological experience verification
and sponsors.
If you have any questions,
you may contact Vickie Hill,
Manager of Membership
Services at [email protected] or
call headquarters at 303-4126205. www.aipg.org
42 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY
This service is open to AIPG Members as well as nonmembers. The Professional Services Directory is a one year
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Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 45
Sustainable Water Management in
the Texas Oil and Gas Industry
Blythe Lyons
John Tintera
Note: The authors graciously have condensed this article
specifically for TPG. To download the entire paper with
complete reference citations, please visit http://texasalliance.
org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Texas-White-Paperon-sustainable-Water-Management-by-the-Oil-and-GasIndustry-July-29-2014.pdf
Introduction
The potential for US energy self-sufficiency, if not outright
independence, will substantially depend on public acceptance,
which, in turn, depends on industry demonstrating sustainable water management practices. Water is key to unleashing
domestic energy resources, especially the “unconventionals.”
This article examines the varying geologic regions and water
conditions in which energy production is particularly active
in Texas. It discusses the water use for hydraulic fracturing,
as well as the potential for water recycling, reuse, and use
of non-freshwater sources in the Eagle Ford Shale, Permian
Basin, and Barnett Shale regions. It highlights the role Texas
legislators, regulators, and industry can play in achieving
sustainable water and energy programs.
Energy-Related Water Issues
Water Use by the Oil and Gas Industry is Expected to
Increase as a Result of the Shale Revolution-With the
increase in production from hydraulically fractured/horizontally drilled wells, there has been a parallel increase in water
use. In 2012, total water use for hydraulic fracturing was
estimated to be 76,722 acre-feet.1 Experts predict that water
usage going forward will increase to about 125,000 acre-feet
between 2020 and 2030, followed by a steady decrease.2
Changing Dynamics of Drought and Population
-Texas faced one of the worst one-year droughts on record
in 2011, with 99 percent of the state experiencing severe,
extreme, or exceptional drought conditions.3 While conditions
have improved slightly, almost 70 percent of Texas still is
experiencing drought and many reservoirs, especially in west
Texas, are less than 25 percent full.4
Population growth is a primary contributor to the strains
on Texas’s water resources. The population is rapidly increasing at a projected rate of 82 percent between 2010 and 2060.5
Water demand is projected to increase 22 percent by 2060,
although existing water supplies are set to decrease about 10
percent during that time.6
Evolving Water Management
Strategies
Freshwater for Fracturing-Freshwater consumption by
the oil and gas industry is estimated to reach approximately
100,000 acre-feet before 2020, and will generally level off to
around 70,000 acre-feet before decreasing to just a few tens
of thousands of acre-feet7 by the middle of the 21stcentury.8
Alternative / Non-Freshwater Source Drivers-Industry
is making strides in the reuse of flowback and produced water,
finding alternative sources of recycled water (from treatment
plants and/or produced water from conventional wells), and
in using brackish water, as technology allows the use of more
saline water with additives.9 Cost is a major factor in determining whether to use freshwater or an alternative source of water.
Conditions supporting using alternative, non-freshwater sources are:
• a limited availability of high-quality source water;
• high quality and availability of produced or brackish water;
• a reduction in transportation and logistical costs;
• high compatibility with fracturing fluid chemistry; and,
• high compatibility with reservoir.10
Challenges with using alternative water sources
include:
• transportation and gathering of water (logistics, traffic,
environmental concerns);
• treatment of water (cost, life-cycle environmental concerns);
• storage of non-freshwater (bacteria, corrosion, environmental concerns);
• blending of water from different sources (produced, fresh);
• consistent and predictable fracturing fluid performance
(pretesting and consistent stream);
• impacts on reservoir and fracture conductivity (rock-fluid
interaction and pack damage); and,
• impacts on short- and long-term field production (emulsion,
scaling, corrosion).11
Brackish Water as an Alternative-Brackish water is
one potential non-freshwater source12 as recent technological advancements in chemical additives have allowed use of
brackish water without the additional cost of treatment.13
Availability and quality will be determining factors. Texas
has an estimated 2.7 billion acre-feet of brackish groundwater, with nearly every geographic region containing some
amount.14 Brackish groundwater is more prevalent than
freshwater in the southern Gulf Coast Aquifer, underlying
the Eagle Ford Shale, and in many parts of west Texas, near
the Permian Basin.15
While brackish water is emerging as a viable alternative to
freshwater use, constraints remain, including:16
• increasing competition from municipalities for brackish
waters of low salinity;
• acquisition costs for brackish water may be low, but handling costs are higher for brackish water than for freshwater
(for no-leak transfer lines and suitable containments);
46 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
sustainable water management in the texas oil and gas industry
• increased liability to producers that store and/or transfer
large volumes of salt water;
• potential for impacting freshwater formations by drawing
down the brackish water;
• transportation costs if a source is not located nearby.
Produced Water-Using produced water as an alternative to freshwater is gaining traction within the industry.
Challenges include:
• high compositional variance between wells and formations;
• the amount of flowback and produced water varies between
formations;
• acquiring freshwater and disposal may be easier (there
are more than 35,000 active injection and disposal wells in
Texas17);
• transportation and handling costs are key site-specific factors when considering disposal versus treatment.
Some companies have begun to blend a small percentage
of produced water with source water for hydraulic fracturing
operations. As with other alternative water sources, it is vital
to examine factors such as compatibility with the formation
and the fracturing fluid, reliability and consistent results,
costs, and environmental considerations in determining the
potential for using produced water.18
Water Use in Barnett, Eagle Ford, and Permian
Basin-Water usage in the Barnett, Eagle Ford, and Permian
Basin demonstrates how factors such as the shale formation’s
geology, local climate, and water sources influence the water
management in specific regions. The amount of brackish or
recycled/reused water has increased about 21 percent between
2008 and 2011, to approximately 17,000 acre-feet.
Northeast Texas, where the Barnett Shale is located, has
a climate characterized as subtropical, sub-humid mixed
savanna and woodlands.19 The shale is located at depths
between 6,500 and 8,500 feet, with a thickness ranging
from 100 to 600 feet.20 Although drilling operations have
declined recently, the shale is still averaging gas production
at 4,774,000 cubic feet per day.21 Overall, water use remains
steady at 25,000 acre-feet per year.22 A majority of water used
in drilling and stimulation operations is groundwater from the
Edwards-Trinity and Woodbine Aquifers.23 Some water comes
from wastewater treatment plants. Water shortages in this
region are less of a concern than in other, more-arid regions.
Compared to other shale plays, a small amount of recycling/
reuse of produced and brackish water is being utilized.24
The Eagle Ford Shale formation has an average thickness of 250 feet, and is located at a depth of approximately
4,000 to 12,000 feet below ground surface.25 The Eagle Ford
is currently producing an average of over 800,000 barrels of
oil per day, compared to 2010, when the play was producing
15,149 barrels per day.26 Total water use is projected to be
19.2 billion gallons27 (roughly 59,000 acre-feet), averaging
over 4.4 million gallons per well.28 The climate in this area is
considered semiarid.29 Water is typically groundwater from
the Gulf Coast Aquifer in the northern portion of the play, and
from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer in the southern portion.30
Water concerns in the region are high, as the shale play has
the highest water use in the nation, and about 28 percent of
wells are located in areas of high or extremely high water
stress.31,32 A significant amount of brackish water (about
20 percent, depending on the operator) is now being used.33
www.aipg.org
Some portions of the Eagle Ford have low volumes of flowback/
produced water, lowering the potential for water recycling.34
The Permian Basin contains multiple, overlapping producing formations. The area’s climate is subtropical, arid desert,
but traveling north into the Panhandle, the climate becomes
semiarid savanna.35 Overall water use in the Permian Basin
is relatively high, at about 1,500,000 acre-feet in 2011, with
individual wells using approximately 5 million gallons.36
Water scarcity is a prominent issue in this area, as a reported
70 percent of wells in the Permian Basin are located in a
“high or extremely high water stress area.”37 Much of the
water used is groundwater from the High Plains Aquifer, the
Edwards-Trinity Aquifer, and the Pecos River Basin.38 There
is a high level of competition for water from agriculture.39
Because of high flowback levels and low salinity of produced
water, water recycling and brackish water use may have
substantial potential.40
Factors that Impact Evolving Water
Management Options
Induced Seismicity May Drive Produced Water ReuseConcerns over induced seismicity from injection wells may
encourage treatment and recycling of produced water. Texas
regulators have recognized the public’s concern and concluded
that more data and research are warranted.
Environmental Concerns-Concerns regarding non-freshwater sources management include accidental spillage or
human error. Texas has focused on these issues by developing a
Site Remediation program,41 along with the Oil Field Cleanup
Fund, now called the Oil and Gas Regulation and Cleanup
Fund. Contamination claims will continue.
RECRA Exemption-With very few exceptions, the EPA’s
Effluent Limitation Guidelines for onshore oil and gas operations do not allow discharge of produced water resulting in a
lack of NPDES permits for oil and gas flowback and produced
water discharges, even when treated. With out regulatory
revisions, discharge will not be a viable option for this treated
water waste stream.
Regulatory Developments-RRC’s updated rules appear
to be successfully encouraging oil and gas field water recycling. For noncommercial water recycling by an oil and gas
operator, the authorization lies in “permit by rule,” thereby
eliminating the requirement for an applicant to submit a
permit application.
Landowner Challenges -Landowners may apply restrictions on water use that limit the ability of the company to
recycle or use non-freshwater sources. Some operators have
mentioned this limitation is an impediment to recycling produced water.
Advancements in Water Recycling Technology-There
has been an increase in mobile recycling and wastewater
treatment units during oil and gas field development, and
RRC rules have been amended to allow for the use of such
units without the need for a permit application. The table
below highlights the diversity of the various water treatment
technologies in Texas.
Advancements in Fracking Fluid and “Waterless”
Fracking-There have been advancements toward using less
water in fracking fluid and “waterless fracs,” which substitute
either a gel-like substance (although some water is still used)
or, in some cases, propane, for water.
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 47
sustainable water management in the texas oil and gas industry
Fasken
Nano filtration technology to remove sulfate; membrane unit that removes both the
sulfate and chloride; electrocoagulation (EC) unit.
Water Rescue Services
Electrocoagulation; chlorine dioxide.
AES Water Solutions
The Chemical Coagulant/Dissolved Air Flotation (CC/DAF) water recycling system.
Pioneer
Desalination processes; established evaporation technology and new Carrier Gas
Extraction; chemical and dissolved air flotation (DAF).
Baker Hughes
H2O technologies: Heavy Metals and Solids; H2S and Disinfection; Solids Removal.
RockWater
Filtration; chemical biocides; on-site oxidant generation; neohydro extro-oxidation
clean brine system.
PureStream Services
Accelerated vapor recompression; water clarification - oil and suspended solids removal
Halliburton
CleanWave™ SeaWave™ - Offshore High TDS FR’s; FDE-1078; UniStim™ & MC
Scale; inhibitors, biocides, etc.; CleanStream.™
Thermo Energy
Evaporation methods.
Fountain Quail Water Management Mobile clarification system for recycling to a saltwater standard: 22,035,000 bbls
recycled to date. Mobile thermal evaporation systems for recycling to a freshwater
standard: 21,480,000 bbls recycled to date.
Table 1: Examples of Water Treatment Technologies.
Source: Information compiled from presentations at the RRC Water Symposium in Austin, May 2014.
What Texas Has Done Well
Notable laws, regulations, policies, and programs Texas
has done well include the Accommodation Doctrine, groundwater protection regulations, the Oil and Gas Regulation and
Cleanup Fund, public outreach programs, and coordination
with other state agencies.
Accommodation Doctrine Provides an Established
Legal Framework-The 1971 Accommodation Doctrine protects surface owners’ rights in that it requires mineral owners
to accommodate the surface owner’s existing use of the land,
within reason.42 To summarize, the mineral estate may use
as much of the surface estate as is reasonably necessary to
access and produce the minerals from the tract.
In most cases, the surface owner owns the surface and
subsurface water rights, unless expressly agreed upon in the
severance deed or the lease agreement.43 Because surface
owners generally have private ownership of groundwater,
many ranchers and landowners sell their water to oil and gas
companies, benefiting both the operators and the landowners.44 If the mineral rights and surface rights are both owned
by the landowner, the landowners can add provisions in the
lease agreement requiring that the company operating on their
land must purchase water from them.45
Groundwater Protection Regulations-The RRC has
developed over 100 technical and complex oil and gas field
regulations, and has an active inspection program. To date,
there has not been a confirmed case of groundwater contamination due to hydraulic fracturing in Texas.46
The RRC is a participant by statutory requirement in the
Texas Groundwater Protection Committee, and annually
reports all documented groundwater contamination sites to
the Committee, which publishes these in an annual report.
In 2012, Texas was one of the first states in the nation to
require mandatory reporting of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluid. The Hydraulic Fracturing Chemical
Disclosure Rule (Statewide Rule 29) requires operators to
report on a public website, FracFocus.org, the chemicals and
amount of water used in the hydraulic fracturing process.47
In 2013, the RRC adopted amendments to Statewide Rule
13,48 making it one of the most stringent well-integrity rules
in the nation. The rule also requires that the surface casing of
each well be set below the depth of usable quality water in order
to further protect water from migration and contamination.49
In 2013, the RRC amended Statewide Rule 8 to encourage
water recycling and conservation in the oil field. The rule
amendments remove regulatory barriers to water recycling,
and allow recycling on-lease under the authority of the oil
and gas operator, without the need for a Commission permit.
The Oil and Gas Regulation and Cleanup Fund-This
Fund, based on fees assessed on the oil and gas industry and
not taxpayer dollars, allows the RRC to plug abandoned wells
and remediate abandoned oil and gas field sites. In 2013,
the RRC completed 280 cleanup activities, including eight
major cleanups, and plugged 778 orphaned wells, including
30 orphaned bay wells.50
Incentives, Technology, and Representation-Texas’s
regulatory environment includes several incentives designed
to encourage oil and gas production and innovation. In
November 2013, Proposition 6, was approved by Texas voters. It allows for the transfer of $2 billion from the Economic
Stabilization Fund to the State Water Implementation Fund,
to be used for loans on water projects throughout Texas.
There are many associations in Texas which serve as representatives, advocates, or discussion centers for water and
energy issues. The Texas Water Recycling Association, formed
in 2013, represents the water recycling industry in the state
as a nonprofit voice.
Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement-RRC
Commissioner David Porter formed the Eagle Ford Shale Task
Force in 2011, the first of several groups aimed at community
outreach. Others formed including South Texas Energy and
Economic Roundtable and the Eagle Ford Shale Consortium.
There are similar groups in the Permian Basin and the Barnett
Shale. The RRC has become more proactive in establishing
meetings to address public concerns.
Information Technology Systems ModernizationDuring the 83rd Legislative session, the Texas Legislature
48 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
sustainable water management in the texas oil and gas industry
approved an appropriation of $24.7 million for improving
the information technology systems (ITS) at the RRC.51
Modernization of these online applications will provide greater
public access and transparency to the regulatory issues.
Coordination among Energy-Producing StatesAppointed government officials represent Texas in the
Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, which in partnership with the Groundwater Protection Council recently
launched the “States First” initiative aimed at information
sharing between states52 and created the State Oil and Gas
Regulatory Exchange. Texas also participates in other national programs such as the Groundwater Protection Council, the
State Review of Oil and Gas Environmental Regulations, and
the Independent Petroleum Association of America.
What Texas Can Do Better
Texas has made strides in setting up the ground rules for
the oil and gas industry to continue efforts to manage its
water use in an affordable, sustainable fashion. Several issues
require further attention.
Ambiguity and Conflict Exists in Some Rules53 -Under
the Accommodation Doctrine and with the dominance of the
mineral estate, mineral owners have the right to reasonable
disposal of salt water by means of injection into a subsurface formation.54 Since injection wells are under increased
scrutiny, this right under the Accommodation Doctrine may
be in jeopardy. As perception of groundwater assets evolves
to include brackish water, deciphering ownership and which
agency or regulations have jurisdiction over such water will
become increasingly convoluted issues that must be better
addressed. The permitting process and procedural requirements by the various Groundwater Conservation Districts
(GCDs) across the state regarding water wells and “rig supply
wells” also cause some confusion among operators.
Public Outreach-Both the oil and gas industry and
regulators can improve their public outreach. The concern
is whether the industry sufficiently acknowledges that challenges do exist.
Legacy Wells -Regulators should provide assurance to both
industry and the public that the same diligent effort applied
to orphaned wells and abandoned sites will also be applied to
any mishaps or pollution violations regarding water recycling.
Liability Protection for Produced Water Reuse-The
Texas Legislature in 2013 passed HB 2767 regarding liability on recycling produced water to address liability concerns.
Further action is warranted.
Concluding Remarks
With the increased usage of water for oil and gas production in water-challenged south and west Texas, combined with
population growth, increasing costs, and public perception,
the oil and gas industry has been pressed to search for ways
to reduce freshwater. This has been accomplished through
reuse of flowback and produced water and using alternative
and brackish water sources.
More can always be done. The public, policy makers, and
industry should turn their attention to discussing these issues:
• voluntary reporting water recycling data;
• recycling tax incentives;
• RECRA exemption;
• review of federal NPDES permit process;
www.aipg.org
•
•
•
•
evaluate PBR model for other states;
liability policy and tort reform;
recycling advocacy; and,
expanding the Oil and Gas Cleanup Fund program to recycling activities.
Endnotes
1, 4, 28, 31, 34, 37, 38, 39, 40 Ceres, “Hydraulic Fracturing & Water
Stress: Water Demand by the Numbers,” February 5, 2014,
www.ceres.org/issues/water/shale-energy/shale-and-watermaps/hydraulic-fracturing-water-stress-water-demand-bythe-numbers.
2, 7, 8, 9, 18, 20, 22, 33, 36 Nicot et al., “Oil & Gas Water Use
in Texas: Update.”
3, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 23, 24, 25, 29, 35 TWDB, “2012 State
Water Plan,” December 2011, www.twdb.state.tx.us/publications/state_water_plan/2012/2012_SWP.pdf
10, 11 Stephen Jester, et al, “Evaluation of Produced Water
Reuse for Hydraulic Fracturing in Eagle Ford,” Presentation
to the Atlantic Council, June 24–25, 2013.
7, 21, 26, 46, 47, 49, 50, 51 Texas RRC; “Saltwater Disposal
Wells,” “Texas Barnett Shale Total Natural Gas Production
2000–2014,” “Eagle Ford Shale Oil Production 2008 through
March 2014,” Hydraulic Fracturing,” and “2013: Year of
Railroad Commission Accomplishments.”
27 based on data from wells hydraulically fractured between
January 2011 and May 2013.
30 Stephen Jester, “Eagle Ford Shale Water Supply
and Demand,” www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/06_Jester_-_Water_Demand_508.pdf (slide 9).
32 The authors of the report note that some critics have
expressed concern as to whether Ceres correctly used the WRI
Aqueduct database in preparing their analysis.
41 This program also oversees voluntary cleanups by oil and
gas industry, multiple district offices, and inspectors.
42, 43 If the mineral owner has an alternative that would
allow mineral extraction and allow the surface owner to continue their existing use, then the mineral owner must choose
that alternative.
44, 45 John McFarland, “Who Owns Recycled Water?” Oil and
Gas Lawyer Blog, April 15, 2013, www.oilandgaslawyerblog.
com/2013/04/who-owns-recycled-water.html
48 16 TAC 3.13
52 States First Initiative website, About Us, www.statesfirstinitiative.org/#!about/cipy
53 Another important case is the Edwards Aquifer Authority
v. Day, decided on February 24, 2012.
54 Texas Journal of Oil, Gas and Energy Law, “Recent
Developments in Texas…” December 4, 2006, p. 215.
Blythe Lyons is an energy policy consultant. As a Senior
Fellow at the Atlantic Council, she initiated the Council’s
Energy Water Nexus Program. Ms. Lyons previously provided
consulting services, with a focus on nuclear fuel cycle and
nonproliferation, to utilities, industry, nonprofit and academic
institutions, and various national and state governments since
the late 1970s. Other areas of research and expertise include
electric power policy, international energy trading, and energy
and water issues. Ms. Lyons co-wrote the critically acclaimed
book on nuclear policy by Senator Pete Domenici, A Brighter
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 49
sustainable water management in the texas oil and gas industry
Tomorrow (Rowman & Littlefield, 2004). Ms. Lyons’ consulting career includes her tenure at nuclear-related consulting
firms International Energy Associates Limited, and Pickard,
Lowe and Garrick, Inc, both based in Washington, DC, and
also at Energy Resources International, Inc. Ms. Lyons has a
B.S. in Foreign Service with a concentration in international
relations, law and diplomacy, from Georgetown University’s
Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. She studied
at New York University in Paris and at L’École des Études
Politiques (Paris).
Mr. John James Tintera is a regulatory expert in all facets
of upstream oil and gas exploration, production, and transportation, including conventional and unconventional reservoirs.
As the retired Executive Director and 22-year veteran of the
Railroad Commission of Texas, he has overseen the entire regulatory process, from drilling permits to compliance inspections,
oil spill response, pollution remediation, and pipeline transportation. He has been directly responsible for the state-funded
cleanup of over 3000 contaminated oil field sites. Mr. Tintera
has both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Geology with more than 30
years of combined technical and managerial experience. He
currently serves as President of the Texas Water Recycling
Association and is a partner in the energy and regulatory
advocacy firm of Sebree & Tintera in Austin, Texas.
Georgia Section President Ron Wallace presents Mya
Habermann with a scholarship issued by the
Georgia Sectoin.
The AIPG Northeast section
volunteered at the AIPG booth
at the NE GSA meeting in
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.
National would like to say ‘Thank
You” for your support and time
working the booth. Pictured on
the left are Craig Hanson and
Dennis McGrath, CPG-08578.
Pictured on the right are students
that visited the AIPG booth.
Presidential photo shoot at the field trip
in Jekyll Island, GA. AIPG National Past
President, Ron Wallace, AIPG National
President-Elect Helen Hickman and AIPG
National President Foster Sawyer.
Members and others from National ExCom and the Arizona Section enjoyed the company and a Mexican buffet dinner outdoors in Tucson, during the February Executive
Committee meeting. Among those visible are Foster Sawyer, Bob Stewart, Doug Bartlett,
Helen Hickman, Christine Lilek, and Barb Murphy.
50 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
book reviews
Phanerozoic Paleoclimate: An Atlas of Lithologic
Indicators of Climate
James A. Jacobs, CPG-7760
The Reading Geologist
Chances are good that when you learned of the unifying that represent climatically
theory of geology, the scientific evidence of the theory was not sensitive deposits, including
as easily memorized as the concept of the continuous recycling tillite, dropstone, glendonof the Earth’s surface and the gnashing of lithospheric plates. ite, evaporate, calcrete, coal,
Although geologists have been fully comfortable with the plate palm, mangrove, crocodiltectonics model for more than half a century, getting familiar ians, bauxite, laterite, kaolinwith the climate-related lithologic evidence that led to this ite and oolitic ironstone.
extraordinary scientific achievement is less widely known. The
One of my favorite maps
Phanerozoic Paleoclimate: An Atlas of Lithologic Indicators of is Map 19, Early and Middle Jurassic, which demonstrates
Climate (SEPM #11) provides some of the same types of infor- the large amount of climatic and lithologic data we have for
mation that Alfred Wegener and others used in arguing for the that time interval. This is one of the maps representing the
theory of continental drift that turned into plate tectonics. In time when the supercontinent Pangaea began rifting into
the process of studying the paleomaps, a better understanding two landmasses, Laurasia to the north and Gondwana to the
of the historical locations of the continents and ocean basins, south. The rifting created more coastlines and shifted the
the juxtaposition of mountain ranges, and historic climate all continental climate from dry to humid, as documented by the
come into sharper focus.
paleoclimate indicators on the map. Many of the arid deserts
Among the most compelling lines of evidence that Wegener of the dry Triassic were replaced by lush rainforests during
used to support the concept of continental drift are: the match- the Jurassic. On this map, India is still located east of Africa
ing of unique rocks on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, com- and north of Antarctica, and has yet to make its long trek
paring the timing and location of related mountain belts to northward toward Tibet. Besides the 28 maps, the accompatheir possible orogenic events, plotting the location of glacial nying disc of Paleoclimate Animation by Christopher Scotese
regions on various continents, and matching past and pres- included with this publication is captivating to watch, as the
ent fauna and flora on opposite sides of both the North and animation of the various maps of the planet seamlessly morph
South Atlantic Oceans. This volume, SEPM Publication #11, over the ages in a matter of minutes. The animation is the
contains a summary in map form of the lithologic, paleonto- result of countless hours of data compilation, and like magic,
logic, and climatic data collected over the past few hundred the continents and global mineral resources move about the
years on all continents that supports and led to developing screen in smooth sequences that belie the catastrophic movethe unifying theory in geology. Seeing the original locations ments on the ground. The third PDF in the CD is 484 pages
of these deposits on the 28 maps in the collection, with the and includes various articles and extensive references that
continents in their proper positions, visually explains the were used in compiling the detailed maps.
current distribution of numerous global geologic resources.
The interpretation of climate scenarios based on variThe SEPM #11 volume is the result of decades of work by ous lithologic evidence is not without some arguments. The
the authors, both individually and collectively as the
PALEOMAP project. The work has been published in
both PDF and paper version. The collection also comes
with a disc containing the associated animations of
continental motion from the Cambrian to the Miocene.
The maps show the locations of the lithologic information and piece together the story of plate tectonics, the
movement of continents over time, and matches up the
long published record of lithologic and fossil descriptions and climatic associations at many of the sites
that were used to develop the unifying geologic theory.
This publication is unique for combining the interpretations of two major sets of data, both of which
were exceedingly time-consuming to compile. The first
dataset includes the geophysical information that was
used to interpret the position of the tectonic plates
through geologic time. The second dataset is based
on a search of the geological literature to find, record,
and evaluate countless reports around the globe containing lithologic descriptions that span hundreds
of millions of years of earth history during 28 time
Figure 1 - Map 19 Early and Middle Jurassic (used by permission, from
periods from Cambrian to Miocence. The symbols on
Buocot et al., 2013).
the 28 global maps note the location of important rocks
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Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 51
book reviews
authors are seasoned paleogeographers and they wisely
acknowledge various viewpoints in the text concerning some
of the more contentious interpretations. One such scientific
controversy relates to the climactic and depositional significance of dropstones. Dropstones are isolated rock fragments
ranging in size from small pebbles to boulders that are found
within finer-grained water-deposited sedimentary rocks.
Several interpretations exist regarding the origin and significance of these features. Acknowledging this debate, alternate
explanations of dropstones are provided in the text. The
authors also note that “one of the most difficult problems the
paleogeographer faces is the question of the original form and
dimensions of the varied crustal blocks. In other words, can
one rely on the present outline and dimensions of any crustal
block corresponding to its original form and dimensions?” It is
obvious that crustal shortening of some magnitude has taken
place in orogenic belts, but the continents on the paleomaps
are shown in somewhat current forms so the reader will recognize them. If only these maps and text had been available to
some of Wegener’s contemporaries, some of the skeptics might
have been convinced of the merits of continental drift sooner.
The four authors of this SEPM #11 volume have worked in
paleogeography for many decades. Arthur J. Boucot, a retired
professor from the Department of Integrative Biology Zoology,
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, has conducted
paleontological field work all over the globe, in North America,
South America, Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and
Antarctica. Chen Xu is a Professor at the State Key Laboratory
of Palaeobiology & Stratigraphy at the Nanjing Institute
of Geology & Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
in Nanjing, China. Christopher R. Scotese is a Professor of
Geology in the Department of Geology, University of Texas
in Arlington, Texas. Dr. Scotese may be best known as the
creator of the magnificent Paleomap Project, the goal of which
is mapping the Earth’s history over the last billion years. Dr.
Scotese is credited with predicting Pangaea Ultima, a possible future supercontinent configuration. Robert J. Morley
is a Sequence Biostratigrapher whose world-wide experience
includes working with universities and private consulting
firms in palynology and biostratigraphy.
5-Volume Plate Tectonics Series:
Introduction to Global Plate Tectonics
Related to the topic of plate tectonics and paleogeography,
William A. Szarzy’s 5-volume Plate Tectonics Series provides a basic introduction to the unifying geologic theory for
younger readers. The 5-volume
set provides an overview of the
topic suitable for middle school
or high school students or for
those who want to share these
concepts with younger friends,
relatives, or novice scientists.
The collection of paper books or
e-books are designed as a picture
guide series intended to introduce the reader to a basic understanding of global plate tectonics
and the processes by which the
continents were formed. The
books are geared to those inter-
ested in the history of the planet and for those who do not
have a technical background on the specific terminology that
is used to describe plate tectonics theory. The technical terms
are described in common language for ease of understanding.
These publications are not intended to represent highly technical, peer-reviewed research. Rather, the collection provides a
comprehendible overview and introduction into plate tectonics
and the movement of the continents over time.
The five books feature the following topics: Book I: Plate
Tectonics Theory, Paleogeography, and the Ocean Basins;
Book II: the geologic histories of North America; Alaska;
Greenland, the Appalachian Mountains; the western United
States, Mexico; and the South America; Book III: the geologic
histories of Europe, Russia, Mongolia, China, Korea, and
Indochina; Book IV: India, Iran, Turkey, Arabia and Africa;
Book V: the tectonic evolution of Australia & Antarctica. The
countries selected for discussion provide a good overview of
various geologic settings and make for interesting reading.
Each book contains dozens of maps with arrows showing the
general direction of plate movements at a particular time,
as well as cross-sections and general location maps of where
ancient mountain ranges formed.
Precambrian Era Australian craton map. Map showing
the Australian cratons before assembly occurred during the Early Precambrian Era, 2.2 to 1.7 billion years ago
(from Introduction to Global Plate Tectonics V: Australia and
Antarctica Tectonic Histories by William Szary, used
by permission).
The text of these books provides a description of the geologic
history in paragraph form; however, the numerous original
maps (as shown for Australia during the Precambrian Era)
and figures (as shown in the above block model) have been
developed for these books or were redrawn from published
sources to provide the overall concepts of plate tectonics for
introductory readers and new student scientists. Some of the
figures contained in this series have been published previously, including the work of Christopher R. Scotese (see the
preceding SEPM #11 book review, above). A fitting home
for these volumes might be a school or public library where
students and other interested parties would be introduced
to the exciting topic of plate tectonics and continental-scale
geology that has occurred over billions of years. What could
be more interesting?
52 TPG • Apr.May.Jun 2015www.aipg.org
book reviews
The author, William Szary, CPG-11473, has 30 years of
experience practicing environmental geology. He has a passion
for developing educational media to inspire those interested in
learning about the geological sciences, and he has an interest
in encouraging those participating in educational courses in
the earth sciences.
In sum, these two reviewed publications about plate tectonics
have different audiences in mind. Nonetheless, both offerings
remind us how the unifying theory of geology is both elegant
and dynamic and the subject should be of enormous interest to
both new students and seasoned professionals alike.
Block model showing Pliocene Epoch (5 mya) subduction off the west
coast of the US (from Introduction to Global Plate Tectonics II: The
North American, Alaskan, The Appalachian Mountains, the Western
US, Mexico, and the South American Geologic Histories by William
Szary, used by permission).
Reviewer: James A. Jacobs, CPG-7760, is a Principal
Geologist at Clearwater Group with more than three decades
of experience. He won four Fulbright Senior Scholar awards
and has co-authored four books, including two published in
2014: Oil Spills and Gas Leaks (McGraw-Hill) and Acid Mine
Drainage, Rock Drainage and Acid Sulfate Soils (Wiley). He
can be reached at [email protected].
The National ExCom meeting in mid-February provided an opportunity to visit the 61st Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. Collectors and
dealers displayed their rock and mineral specimens from many parts of the world, but focused on Europe and the US this year.There were many
show cases of rare and valuable minerals on display. This photo shows the winning case that was awarded The Lidstrom and Desautels Trophy
2015 (sponsored by the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society). The case is owned by The Pinnacle Collection, who also provided this photo. The individual specimen of silver (second row, third from left) is from Buskerud, Norway, and was awarded the equivalent of “best in show.”
www.aipg.org
Apr.May.Jun 2015 • TPG 53